Battery Monitoring System

Abstract

To provide a battery monitoring system capable of appropriately performing wireless communication.SOLUTION: A battery monitoring system 1, which comprises a battery block 110, a monitoring unit 200 that monitors a status of the battery block 110 in a battery monitoring device, and a control unit that acquires battery information indicating the monitoring result by the battery motioning device through wireless communication with the battery monitoring device and performs various controls, comprises an enclosure 400. The enclosure has a bottom plate part 410, a wall part 420 formed along a peripheral part of the bottom plate part 410, and a cover 440 covering the wall part 420 from above. With respect to a height direction of the enclosure, a top face of the battery block 110 is higher than a boundary part between the cover 440 and the wall parts 420, 430.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 24

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery monitoring system. [Background technology]

[0002] The battery monitoring system includes a battery monitoring device that detects battery information (such as voltage) of the battery cells, and a battery ECU. The battery ECU transmits various control signals (commands) to the battery monitoring device, and the battery monitoring device is configured to return the detected battery information based on the received control signals (for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-78115 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Conventionally, communication between a battery monitoring device and a battery ECU has been performed by wire, but wireless communication has been considered as in Patent Document 1. However, when performing wireless communication, concerns have arisen as to whether the wireless communication can be performed appropriately.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and has as its main object to provide a battery monitoring system capable of performing appropriate wireless communication. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A first battery monitoring system that solves the above problem includes a battery, a battery monitoring device that monitors the state of the battery, and a battery control device that performs wireless communication between the battery monitoring device, acquires battery information that is the monitoring result by the battery monitoring device, and performs various controls, and the battery monitoring system includes a housing, the battery monitoring device has a monitoring unit that monitors the state of the battery and transmits the battery information, the battery control device has a control unit that communicates with the monitoring unit to acquire the battery information and performs various controls, the housing has a bottom plate, a wall formed along the peripheral portion of the bottom plate, and a cover that covers the wall from above, and in the height direction of the housing, the top surface of the battery is located above the boundary between the cover and the wall.

[0007] A second battery monitoring system that solves the above problem includes a battery, a battery monitoring device that monitors the state of the battery, and a battery control device that performs wireless communication between the battery monitoring device, acquires battery information that is the monitoring result by the battery monitoring device, and performs various controls, and includes a housing, wherein the battery monitoring device has a monitoring unit that monitors the state of the battery and transmits the battery information, and the battery control device has a control unit that communicates with the monitoring unit to acquire the battery information and perform various controls, and the housing has a bottom plate, a wall formed along the peripheral portion of the bottom plate, and a cover that covers the wall from above, and the monitoring unit is positioned between the battery and the wall. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a battery pack. [Diagram 3] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an outline of a processing sequence of wireless communication at the start of communication. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an outline of a processing sequence of wireless communication in a steady state; [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an outline of a processing sequence of wireless communication when communication is terminated. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a specific example of a processing order of wireless communication. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a specific example of a processing order of wireless communication. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a specific example of a processing order of wireless communication. [Figure 9] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a specific example of a processing order of wireless communication. [Figure 10] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a specific example of a processing order of wireless communication. [Figure 11] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a specific example of a processing order of wireless communication. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of a battery pack according to embodiment A. [Figure 13] FIG. [Figure 14] Cross-sectional view taken along line 14-14 in Figure 13. [Figure 15] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the battery pack with the cover removed. [Figure 16] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a schematic diagram of a stack of battery cells that constitute a battery block. [Figure 17] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a method for connecting battery blocks in series. [Figure 18] Cross-sectional view taken along line 18-18 in Figure 13. [Figure 19] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of a battery control device and a battery monitoring device. [Figure 20] FIG. 13 is a plan view of a battery pack according to a modified example of embodiment A. [Figure 21] Cross-sectional view taken along line 21-21 in Figure 20. [Figure 22] FIG. 11 is a plan view of a battery pack according to embodiment B. [Figure 23] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the battery pack with the cover removed. [Figure 24] Cross-sectional view taken along line 24-24 in Figure 22. [Diagram 25] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a battery pack according to embodiment C. [Figure 26] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an arrangement of a battery pack in an accommodation space within a chassis of a vehicle. [Figure 27] Cross-sectional view of line 27-27 in Figure 26. [Figure 28]FIG. 13 is a plan view of a battery pack with a cover removed according to embodiment D. [Figure 29] FIG. [Diagram 30] FIG. 13 is a plan view of a battery pack with a cover removed according to a modification of embodiment D. [Diagram 31] FIG. 13 is a plan view of a battery pack according to embodiment E. [Diagram 32] Cross-sectional view taken along line 32-32 in Figure 31. [Diagram 33] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a battery pack according to a modified example of embodiment E. [Diagram 34] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a battery pack according to embodiment F. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a battery monitoring system according to the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the same or corresponding parts in the drawings are given the same reference numerals, and in principle, their description will not be repeated. Below, an embodiment in which the battery monitoring system 1 is applied to a vehicle will be described, but the battery monitoring system 1 according to the present disclosure can also be applied to applications other than vehicles.

[0010] (First embodiment) <Overall configuration of vehicle 10> Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a vehicle 10. The vehicle 10 includes a battery pack 11 (referred to as "Battey" in Fig. 1), a power control unit (hereinafter referred to as "PCU (Power Control Unit)") 12, a motor 13 (referred to as "MG" in Fig. 1), and a vehicle ECU 14 (referred to as "ECU" in Fig. 1).

[0011] The battery pack 11 is mounted on the vehicle 10 as a driving power source for the vehicle 10. In Fig. 1, the battery pack 11 is installed in an engine compartment of the vehicle 10, but it may be installed in other locations, such as in a trunk, under a seat, or under a floor. The vehicle 10 is an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle that runs using power stored in the battery pack 11.

[0012] The battery pack 11 includes an assembled battery 20 including a large number of battery cells 22 (secondary batteries). The battery pack 11 stores power for driving the motor 13 in the assembled battery 20, and can supply power to the motor 13 via the PCU 12. The battery pack 11 is charged by receiving power generated by the motor 13 via the PCU 12 during regenerative power generation by the motor 13, such as during vehicle braking.

[0013] The battery pack 11 is also provided with a battery monitoring device 30 that monitors the assembled battery 20 and a battery control device 40 that controls the battery monitoring device 30. That is, the battery pack 11 of this embodiment houses an inter-battery system 1 that includes the assembled battery 20, the battery monitoring device 30, and the battery control device 40. The configurations of the battery monitoring device 30 and the battery control device 40 will be described in detail from FIG. 2 onwards.

[0014] The PCU 12 performs bidirectional power conversion between the battery pack 11 and the motor 13 in accordance with a control signal from the vehicle ECU 14. The PCU 12 includes, for example, an inverter that drives the motor 13, and a converter that boosts the DC voltage supplied to the inverter to an output voltage of the battery pack 11 or higher.

[0015] The motor 13 is an AC rotating electric machine, for example a three-phase AC synchronous motor with a permanent magnet embedded in the rotor. The motor 13 is driven by the PCU 12 to generate a rotational driving force, and the driving force generated by the motor 13 is transmitted to the driving wheels. On the other hand, when the vehicle 10 is braked, the motor 13 operates as a generator and performs regenerative power generation. The electric power generated by the motor 13 is supplied to the battery pack 11 via the PCU 12 and stored in the battery pack 20 in the battery pack 11.

[0016] The vehicle ECU 14 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, input / output ports for inputting and outputting various signals, etc. The CPU deploys a program stored in the ROM into the RAM and executes it. The program stored in the ROM describes the processing of the vehicle ECU 14. As an example of the main processing of the vehicle ECU 14, the vehicle ECU 14 receives information such as the voltage, current, and SOC (State Of Charge) of the battery pack 20 from the battery pack 11, and controls the PCU 12 to control the driving of the motor 13 and the charging and discharging of the battery pack 11.

[0017] <Configuration of battery pack 11> 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a battery pack 11. The battery pack 11 includes a battery pack 20, a plurality of battery monitoring devices 30, a battery control device 40, and a housing 50 (shown by a dashed line) that houses them. In this embodiment, the battery control device 40 is housed inside the housing 50, but it may be disposed outside the housing 50.

[0018] <Configuration of battery pack 20> The battery pack 20 has a plurality of battery blocks 21 (sometimes referred to as battery stacks or battery modules). The battery pack 20 is formed by connecting the plurality of battery blocks 21 in series and / or parallel. Each battery block 21 has a plurality of battery cells 22. Each battery cell 22 is formed of a lithium ion secondary battery, a nickel-hydrogen secondary battery, or the like. Note that a lithium ion secondary battery is a secondary battery that uses lithium as a charge carrier, and may include not only a typical lithium ion secondary battery in which the electrolyte is liquid, but also a so-called all-solid-state battery in which a solid electrolyte is used. The battery block 21 is formed by connecting the plurality of battery cells 22 in series and / or parallel.

[0019] <Configuration of battery monitoring device 30> The battery monitoring device 30 is also called a satellite battery module (SBM), and is provided for each battery block 21. As shown in FIG. 2, each battery monitoring device 30 includes a monitoring IC 31 as a monitoring unit, a wireless IC 32 as a slave-side wireless control unit, a wireless antenna 33, and the like. The monitoring IC 31 is also called a cell supervising circuit (CSC), and acquires battery information from each battery cell 22 constituting the battery block 21 or a sensor (not shown). The battery information includes, for example, voltage information, temperature information, current information, and the like of each battery cell 22. The monitoring IC 31 also performs self-diagnosis and generates self-diagnosis information. The self-diagnosis information is, for example, information on the operation check of the battery monitoring device 30, that is, information on an abnormality or failure of the battery monitoring device 30. Specifically, the information is information on the operation check of the monitoring IC 31, the wireless IC 32, and the like constituting the battery monitoring device 30.

[0020] The wireless IC 32 is connected to the monitoring IC 31 by wire and includes a wireless MCU (Micro Control Unit) and an RF device (radio frequency device module), etc. The wireless IC 32 wirelessly transmits data (including control signals, etc.) received from the monitoring IC 31 via a wireless antenna 33. The wireless IC 32 also transmits the data received via the wireless antenna 33 to the monitoring IC 31.

[0021] <Configuration of Battery Control Device 40> The battery control device 40 is also called a battery ECU or BMU (Battery Management Unit), and is attached to an outer side surface or the like of the battery block 21. The battery control device 40 is configured to be able to wirelessly communicate with each battery monitoring device 30.

[0022] More specifically, as shown in Fig. 2, the battery control device 40 includes a battery control MCU 41 as a battery control unit, a wireless IC 42 as a parent device side wireless control unit, and a wireless antenna 43. The battery control MCU 41 is configured with a microcomputer including a CPU, ROM, RAM, an input / output interface, etc. The CPU of the battery control MCU 41 loads a program stored in the ROM into the RAM and executes it. The program stored in the ROM describes processes related to battery control.

[0023] As an example of the main processing, the battery control MCU 41 instructs the battery monitoring device 30 to obtain and transmit battery information. The battery control MCU 41 also monitors the assembled battery 20, the battery block 21, and the battery cells 22 based on the battery information received from the battery monitoring device 30. The battery control MCU 41 also controls relay switches that switch between energized and de-energized states of the assembled battery 20 and the PCU 12 and the motor 13 based on the monitoring results. The battery control MCU 41 may also transmit an equalization signal that equalizes the voltages of the battery cells 22. Note that in this embodiment, the vehicle ECU 14 issues instructions to the PCU 12 to control the charging and discharging of the assembled battery 20, but the battery control MCU 41 may be configured to be able to perform this.

[0024] The wireless IC 42 is connected to the battery control MCU 41 by wire, and like the wireless IC 32, has a wireless MCU and an RF device. The wireless IC 42 wirelessly transmits data received from the battery control MCU 41 via a wireless antenna 43. The wireless IC 42 also transmits data received via the wireless antenna 43 to the battery control MCU 41. In this embodiment, the wireless MCU of the wireless IC 42 of the battery control device 40 is referred to as the parent device side wireless IC 42, and the wireless MCU of the wireless IC 32 of the battery monitoring device 30 is referred to as the child device side wireless IC 32.

[0025] <Configuration of the housing 50> The housing 50 is made of a conductor such as metal. The housing 50 is formed in a metal box shape and has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The housing 50 houses the battery pack 20, the battery monitoring device 30, and the battery control device 40.

[0026] Incidentally, it is desirable that the housing 50 of the battery pack 11 is configured to cover the contents, such as the battery monitoring device 30, with a conductor to completely block radio waves from the outside. However, in reality, it is difficult to completely cover the contents with a conductor. For example, it is necessary to provide the housing 50 with a seal member for filling the gap between the housing body and the cover, an explosion-proof valve, a connector, and the like, and these parts are prone to penetration of external radio waves. In addition, it is desirable to make the housing 50 out of resin or the like in order to reduce weight, and in this case, it is not possible to block radio waves from the outside.

[0027] Therefore, to ensure reliable wireless communication between the battery monitoring device 30 and the battery control device 40, processes that are not often necessary in wired communication, such as authentication and error detection, are performed. Also, the amount of communication data increases compared to wired communication because authentication and the like are performed. For these reasons, wireless communication generally has the problem that the time required for communication tends to be longer than that of wired communication.

[0028] Therefore, in this embodiment, in order to reliably perform wireless communication while shortening the time required for communication, the following configuration and wireless communication method are implemented.

[0029] <Processing related to wireless communication> Next, the process related to wireless communication will be described. First, the process at the start of communication will be described, and then the process related to wireless communication in a steady state will be described. After that, the process at the end of communication will be described. In addition, a protection mechanism for appropriately detecting the influence of noise, etc. will be described.

[0030] <Processing at the start of communication> As shown in FIG. 3, when starting wireless communication, the battery control MCU 41 outputs a communication start command to the parent device side wireless IC 42 (step S11). The timing for outputting the communication start command is, for example, when an IG-ON signal indicating that an ignition switch is turned on is input. The timing for outputting the communication start command is not limited to the input of a signal such as an IG-ON signal, and may be changed to any timing. For example, the timing for outputting the communication start command may be when a predetermined time has elapsed since wireless communication was disconnected. Also, for example, the timing for outputting the communication start command may be when a predetermined time has arrived. Specifically, when the variation in cell voltage is checked at regular intervals and a process of equalizing the cell voltage is performed, the timing for checking and equalizing the cell voltage may be the timing for outputting the communication start command. Also, although the battery control MCU 41 determines the timing for starting communication, the parent device side wireless IC 42 may determine the timing.

[0031] When the master side wireless IC 42 receives the communication start command, it executes wireless communication connection processing (step S12). Here, the master side wireless IC 42 searches for and detects a connection request signal (step S0) periodically output from the slave side wireless IC 32. The connection request signal may be output randomly. When the master side wireless IC 42 detects the connection request signal and finds the slave side wireless IC 32, it outputs a slave discovery signal to notify the slave side wireless IC 32 that the master side wireless IC 42 has found the slave side wireless IC 32 (step S13).

[0032] When the slave-side wireless IC 32 receives the slave-discovery signal, it executes authentication processing with the master-side wireless IC 42 (step S14). In this authentication processing, the slave-side wireless IC 32 and the master-side wireless IC 42 communicate with each other multiple times to exchange information related to authentication and perform authentication and various settings.

[0033] Furthermore, when the slave side wireless IC 32 receives the slave discovery signal, the slave side wireless IC 32 instructs the monitoring IC 31 to perform an initial operation in parallel with the authentication process. That is, in the authentication process, as described above, the slave side wireless IC 32 and the master side wireless IC 42 communicate with each other multiple times to exchange information. For this reason, the slave side wireless IC 32 waits for a period from when it transmits information until it receives a reply from the master side wireless IC 42. Therefore, the slave side wireless IC 32 uses this waiting period to output (issue) a command related to the initial operation to the monitoring IC 31, thereby causing the authentication process and the initial operation by the monitoring IC 31 to be performed in parallel. Note that the slave side wireless IC 32 may be provided with multiple processors, and one processor may be caused to perform the authentication process and the other processor may be caused to perform the initial operation.

[0034] The operation instructions related to the initial operation are realized by sequentially outputting commands to be executed by the monitoring IC 31 in the initial operation to the monitoring IC 31. There are multiple types of commands to be executed by the monitoring IC 31 in the initial operation, and these are stored in advance in the storage device of the slave-side wireless IC 32.

[0035] Specifically, in the initial operation, the slave-side wireless IC 32 transmits an execution command for initial setting to the monitoring IC 31. As a result, the monitoring IC 31 performs the initial setting (step S15). In the initial setting of the monitoring IC 31, refresh and ID number setting are performed. The ID number is given by the battery control MCU 41, and a separate number is assigned to each monitoring IC 31, which is stored and managed by the battery control MCU 41. The ID number is included in the execution command for initial setting in advance. When the initial setting is completed, the monitoring IC 31 returns information about whether the initial setting has been normally completed as a processing result to the slave-side wireless IC 32. The slave-side wireless IC 32 stores the returned information in a storage device of the slave-side wireless IC 32.

[0036] The slave-side wireless IC 32 also transmits a sensing operation execution command to the monitoring IC 31 to detect various types of battery information (step S16). At this time, the monitoring IC 31 specifies what type of battery information (cell voltage, block voltage, battery temperature, etc.) is to be detected in the sensing operation. As a result, the monitoring IC 31 detects the specified type of battery information and returns the battery information as the detection result to the slave-side wireless IC 32. The slave-side wireless IC 32 stores the returned battery information in the storage device of the slave-side wireless IC 32.

[0037] The slave-side wireless IC 32 also transmits a command to instruct the monitoring IC 31 to execute self-diagnosis. In response, the monitoring IC 31 executes self-diagnosis and returns self-diagnosis information as a result. The slave-side wireless IC 32 stores the returned self-diagnosis information in the storage device of the slave-side wireless IC 32. Thereafter, during the authentication process, the slave-side wireless IC 32 repeats the process of issuing an operation instruction to the monitoring IC 31 and receiving the processing result in the same manner.

[0038] The commands to be output in the initial operation are received from the battery control device 40 when the previous wireless communication ends, for example, when the ignition switch is turned off, and are stored in the storage device of the child device side wireless IC 32 (described in detail later). The type, execution order, and number of commands to be stored are designated at that time.

[0039] The types of commands related to the initial operation (types, numbers, execution order, output timing, etc., the same applies below) may be changed depending on the situation. For example, when communication is started in response to the input of a signal such as an IG-ON signal, commands related to the above-mentioned initial settings may be included, whereas when communication is started in response to confirmation of cell voltages and equalization, commands related to the equalization process may be included.

[0040] As described above, when the initial operation is executed, the wireless IC 32 of the slave side stores the processing result (battery information, etc.) related to the initial operation in the storage device of the wireless IC 32 of the slave side. Then, when the authentication process and the processing related to the initial operation are completed (step S18), the wireless IC 32 of the slave side transmits the processing result related to the initial operation stored in the storage device of the wireless IC 32 of the slave side (step S19). When the battery control MCU 41 receives the processing result related to the initial operation, it executes various controls based on the battery information, etc. detected in the initial operation. For example, when the battery control MCU 41 determines that the assembled battery 20 and the battery monitoring device 30 are normal and in a state in which charging and discharging are possible based on the self-diagnosis information and the battery information, it permits charging and discharging from the assembled battery 20. When permitted, power is supplied from the assembled battery 20 or the assembled battery 20 is charged based on a vehicle request, etc. Also, when it is determined that the assembled battery 20 and the battery monitoring device 30 are normal, a steady state is entered, and data required for battery control is exchanged via wireless communication.

[0041] <Communication processing in steady state> During the steady state, in principle, the battery control device 40 transmits multiple commands instructing the battery monitoring device 30 to execute processing content at once, and receives the results of the processing instructed to the battery monitoring device 30 at once. Then, this series of processing is repeatedly executed. This will be described in more detail below.

[0042] As shown in Fig. 4, the battery control MCU 41 of the battery control device 40 generates a data unit including commands instructing the battery monitoring device 30 to execute processing contents according to the communication schedule, and transmits the data unit to the master side wireless IC 42 via a wired connection (step S21). The data unit includes multiple types of commands. For example, one data unit includes multiple commands such as an execution instruction command for instructing detection of a cell voltage, a read instruction command for instructing reading of the detected cell voltage, an execution instruction command for instructing detection of a block voltage, a read instruction command for instructing reading of the detected block voltage, an execution instruction command for instructing detection of a battery temperature, and a read instruction command for instructing reading of the detected battery temperature. The types and number of commands included in one data unit may be changed arbitrarily. For example, a command for performing a self-diagnosis may be included.

[0043] The master side wireless IC 42 of the battery control device 40 generates wireless data by adding data (information) necessary for wireless communication, such as communication control information, to the received data unit (step S22). The master side wireless IC 42 of the battery control device 40 wirelessly transmits the generated wireless data via the wireless antenna 43 (step S22).

[0044] When the slave side wireless IC 32 of the battery monitoring device 30 receives wireless data via the wireless antenna 33, it determines whether the wireless data is addressed to itself based on the communication control information of the wireless data (step S23). If the slave side wireless IC 32 determines that the wireless data is addressed to itself, it extracts a data unit from the wireless data (step S24). Then, the slave side wireless IC 32 sequentially transmits commands included in the data unit to the monitoring IC 31 via a wired connection (step S25). Note that the transmission order and transmission timing of the commands may be included in the data unit, or may be determined by the slave side wireless IC 32 based on the type of command, etc.

[0045] When the monitoring IC 31 receives a command from the slave-side wireless IC 32, the monitoring IC 31 executes the process instructed by the received command (step S26). For example, when the monitoring IC 31 receives an execution command instructing detection of battery information, the monitoring IC 31 detects the battery information of the instructed type and stores it in the storage device of the monitoring IC 31. When the monitoring IC 31 receives a read command instructing reading of battery information, the monitoring IC 31 reads the battery information of the instructed type from the storage device, converts the read battery information into electronic data, and transmits it to the slave-side wireless IC 32 (step S27). The slave-side wireless IC 32 stores the received data such as the battery information (step S28). The slave-side wireless IC 32 repeats the processes of steps S25 to S28 until all commands are output.

[0046] Then, the slave side wireless IC 32 transmits all the commands, and when the processes instructed by those commands are completed, it generates a data unit from the battery information and the like stored in the storage device of the slave side wireless IC 32 (step S29). Then, the slave side wireless IC 32 adds data (information) necessary for wireless communication, such as communication control information, to the data unit to generate wireless data. The slave side wireless IC 32 of the battery monitoring device 30 transmits (replies) the generated wireless data via the wireless antenna 33 (step S30).

[0047] Then, when the master side wireless IC 42 of the battery control device 40 receives the wireless data via the wireless antenna 43, it determines whether the wireless data is addressed to itself or not based on the communication control information of the wireless data (step S31). If the master side wireless IC 42 determines that the wireless data is addressed to itself, it extracts a data unit from the wireless data and transmits it to the battery control MCU 41 via a wired connection (step S32).

[0048] When the battery control MCU 41 receives the data unit from the master side wireless IC 42, it acquires the processing result (battery information, etc.) from the data unit (step S33). Then, the battery control MCU 41 executes various controls based on the acquired processing result (step S33). For example, the battery control MCU 41 notifies the external vehicle ECU 14, etc. of the received battery information. Furthermore, if an abnormality is detected in the battery cells 22 based on the battery information, the battery control MCU 41 outputs a signal to the external vehicle ECU 14, etc. to stop charging / discharging the battery pack 20. Furthermore, if there is variation in the voltage of the battery cells 22, the battery control MCU 41 executes an equalization process.

[0049] Thereafter, the battery control device 40 repeatedly executes this series of processes according to the communication schedule until the steady state ends, that is, until wireless communication ends. After transmitting a data unit to one battery monitoring device 30 (step S21), the battery control MCU 41 may transmit data units to other battery monitoring devices 30 during the period until the battery control MCU 41 receives a processing result from the battery monitoring device 30 (step S33). This makes it possible to communicate with other battery monitoring devices 30 in parallel while a certain battery monitoring device 30 is processing, or to have the other battery monitoring devices 30 perform processing in parallel. In addition, since commands are transmitted collectively and processing results are received collectively, it is also possible to reduce the amount of communication data.

[0050] <Processing at the end of communication> As shown in Fig. 5, when wireless communication is terminated due to, for example, the ignition switch being turned off (input of an IG-OFF signal), the battery control device 40 executes processing related to the termination of communication. In the processing related to the termination of communication, first, the battery control device 40 issues an operation instruction related to an initial operation to be executed during authentication processing at the start of the next wireless communication. More specifically, the battery control MCU 41 of the battery control device 40 generates a data unit including various commands related to the initial operation, and transmits the data unit to the wireless IC 42 via a wired connection (step S41). When a command related to the initial setting is to be output, the command includes an ID number to be assigned to the connection destination, that is, the monitoring IC 31 of the output destination.

[0051] The master side wireless IC 42 of the battery control device 40 generates wireless data by adding data (information) necessary for wireless communication, such as communication control information, to the received data unit. The master side wireless IC 42 of the battery control device 40 wirelessly transmits the generated wireless data via the wireless antenna 43 (step S42).

[0052] When the slave side wireless IC 32 of the battery monitoring device 30 receives wireless data via the wireless antenna 33, it determines whether the wireless data is addressed to itself based on the communication control information of the wireless data (step S43). If the wireless IC 32 determines that the wireless data is addressed to itself, it extracts unit data from the wireless data (step S44). At that time, if the wireless IC 32 determines that the unit data includes a command related to an initial operation, it stores various commands included in the unit data in the storage device (step S45). In step S45, for example, commands related to initial settings and commands related to equalization processing are stored.

[0053] Thereafter, the battery control device 40 and the battery monitoring device 30 execute a process (such as a disconnection process) for terminating the wireless communication (step S46), and transition to a standby state (step S47). In this standby state, the slave-side wireless IC 32 outputs a connection request signal at predetermined intervals (step S0), as described above. The connection request signal may be output at random timing.

[0054] <Configuration of protection mechanisms 38 and 48> As described above, the housing 50 of the battery pack 11 may be subject to external noise radio waves. For this reason, the battery monitoring device 30 and the battery control device 40 are provided with protection mechanisms 38, 48 for detecting communication errors, such as errors in communication data, when performing wireless communication. These protection mechanisms 38, 48 are provided in the monitoring IC 31 and the battery control MCU 41, respectively. Specifically, the monitoring IC 31 functions as the protection mechanism 38 by executing a program stored in the ROM by the CPU. Similarly, the battery control MCU 41 functions as the protection mechanism 48 by executing a program stored in the ROM by the CPU. The protection mechanisms 38, 48 may be configured as hardware (such as a circuit) and mounted on the monitoring IC 31 and the battery control MCU 41.

[0055] Message data (protected data) such as commands and battery information transmitted and received via wireless communication is protected by the battery control MCU 41 and monitoring IC 31 acting as protection mechanisms 38, 48 on the transmitting and receiving sides cooperating to check whether the message data is transmitted and received correctly.

[0056] In this embodiment, a plurality of types of checks can be performed. For example, a cyclic redundancy check (CRC), an ID check, a sequence check, a timeout check, a check by a feedback response, and a destination confirmation can be performed. Apart from the above, checks are also performed between the wireless ICs 32 and 42. It is not necessary to always perform all the check methods, and some check methods may be selected and performed as necessary. Also, there may be cases where no check is performed. Below, an overview of each check method will be described, and then specific examples of the check methods will be shown.

[0057] <Checking with feedback response> When the monitoring IC 31 receives a combination of destination information and commands from the battery control MCU 41, the monitoring IC 31 returns the received combination of destination information and commands as is (feedback response). The battery control MCU 41 judges whether the combination of destination information and commands returned as feedback from the monitoring IC 31 matches the combination of destination information and commands sent. If they match, the battery control MCU 41 judges that wireless communication has been performed normally, and if they do not match, it judges that there is a possibility that wireless communication has not been performed normally. Note that when returning the feedback response, the monitoring IC 31 may add a data portion such as battery information to the combination of received destination information and commands, as long as it returns the combination of received destination information and commands. At this time, the added data portion is not judged, and the combination of destination information and commands returned as feedback is judged.

[0058] <Sequence check> The sequence check is a method for checking whether data is being transmitted and received according to a communication schedule. In the sequence check, the battery control MCU 41, which is the transmitting side, transmits data units containing sequence numbers according to the communication schedule. In this embodiment, the sequence number is a combination of the address of the destination monitoring IC 31, which is destination information, and the command to be transmitted to the monitoring IC 31, but individual numbers may be assigned in the order of transmission. In the communication schedule, the sequence numbers are arranged in the order of transmission, as shown in FIG. 6.

[0059] The receiving monitoring IC 31 returns the sequence number included in the received data unit as is by a feedback response. The battery control MCU 41 checks whether data is being transmitted and received according to the communication schedule by determining whether the data is being transmitted and received according to the communication schedule based on the sequence number of the received data unit.

[0060] In this embodiment, the battery control MCU 41 assigns the sequence number and judges the returned sequence number, but the monitoring IC 31 may judge the sequence number. In this case, the monitoring IC 31 also has a communication schedule. Alternatively, the monitoring IC 31 may assign the sequence number and the battery control MCU 41 may judge the sequence number.

[0061] <Timeout check> The timeout check is a method for checking whether or not there is a data delay. In the timeout check, the battery control MCU 41, which is the transmitting side, generates and transmits a data unit including a sequence number in accordance with the output timing determined by the communication schedule, as described above, as shown in FIG. 6. Then, the monitoring IC 31, which is the receiving side, returns the sequence number included in the received data unit as it is by feedback response. The battery control MCU 41 refers to the communication schedule, and from the sequence number included in the received data unit, determines whether the received data unit was received within a predetermined time from the predetermined receiving timing. The battery control MCU 41 refers to the communication schedule, and detects a communication error if there is a delay of more than a predetermined time from the receiving timing.

[0062] In this embodiment, the battery control MCU 41 judges whether a timeout has occurred, but the monitoring IC 31 may judge whether a timeout has occurred. In this case, the monitoring IC 31 also has a communication schedule. In addition, both the battery control MCU 41 and the monitoring IC 31 may judge whether a timeout has occurred.

[0063] <IDチェック> The ID check is a method in which, when the monitoring IC 31 transmits a data unit to the battery control MCU 41, an ID number that is a unique ID set by the battery control MCU 41 is added to the data unit to check whether the transmission source is correct.

[0064] More specifically, when the battery control MCU 41 transmits a data unit to the monitoring IC 31, it specifies the destination by including in the data unit the address (destination information) of the monitoring IC 31 as the transmission destination. When the monitoring IC 31 receives a data unit from the battery control MCU 41, it generates a data unit by adding its own ID number together with the processing result, and returns the data unit to the battery control MCU 41. When the battery control MCU 41 receives a data unit from the monitoring IC 31, it determines whether the destination information included in the data unit corresponds to the added ID number, thereby determining whether the data unit has been transmitted to and received at the correct destination.

[0065] As described above, the ID number of the monitoring IC 31 is set individually for each connected monitoring IC 31 by the battery control MCU 41 during initial setting, and is stored and managed by the battery control MCU 41.

[0066] In addition, in this embodiment, when the monitoring IC 31 receives a data unit, it adds its own ID number and returns the data unit to the battery control MCU 41, but depending on the type of command included in the data unit, it may not be necessary to add an ID number. For example, when the monitoring IC 31 simply feedbacks a command without adding data generated by itself (such as detected battery information), it may not be necessary to add an ID number.

[0067] <Cyclic Redundancy Check> A cyclic redundancy check is a type of check that uses an error detection code. In this embodiment, when the monitoring IC 31 is the transmitting side, the monitoring IC 31 regards the protected data to be transmitted as a value, divides it by a predetermined generating polynomial, and generates the remainder as CRC data. Then, the monitoring IC 31, which is the transmitting side, includes the CRC data in the data unit to be transmitted. The battery control MCU 41, which is the receiving side, regards the received protected data as a value, divides it by the same generating polynomial as the transmitting side, and compares the remainder with the CRC data included in the received data unit to analyze whether an error or damage has occurred in the unprotected data.

[0068] In this embodiment, when generating CRC data, the range of data to be protected may be changed arbitrarily. For example, the combination (sequence number) of destination information and command that are fed back may be the protected data, and the transmission data portion such as ID number and battery information may be included in this to be the protected data. In addition, CRC data may be generated for the combination of destination information and command, and CRC data for other data (transmission data portion such as ID number and battery information) may be generated separately.

[0069] <Confirm destination> As described above, the battery control device 40 collectively includes a plurality of commands in a data unit and transmits the data unit to the battery monitoring device 30. Then, the child device side wireless IC 32 sequentially transmits the plurality of commands included in the data unit to the monitoring IC 31. The monitoring IC 31 executes processing based on the commands, gives its own ID number, and transmits the data unit as a feedback response to the child device side wireless IC 32. When the child device side wireless IC 32 receives a plurality of commands included in the data unit from the monitoring IC 31, the child device side wireless IC 32 collectively creates a data unit with the commands with the ID numbers and transmits the data unit to the battery control device 40. When the ID numbers given to the commands included in the received data unit all match the destination information, the battery control MCU 41 determines that the wired communication between the battery control MCU 41 and the parent device side wireless IC 42, the wireless communication between the child device side wireless IC 32 and the parent device side wireless IC 42, and the wired communication between the child device side wireless IC 32 and the monitoring IC 31 have been performed normally.

[0070] <Communication protection for wireless ICs> As described above, in this embodiment, when data is transmitted and received in the communication layer between the battery control MCU 41 and the monitoring IC 31, data protection is performed by the protection mechanisms 38, 48. In addition, in this embodiment, data protection is also performed in the communication layer between the wireless ICs 32, 42. This will be described in detail below.

[0071] When wireless data is transmitted and received between the wireless ICs 32, 42, the wireless data is protected by the transmitting and receiving wireless ICs 32, 42 cooperating to check whether the wireless data is being transmitted and received correctly.

[0072] Specifically, when the transmitting wireless IC 32, 42 receives a data unit from the battery control MCU 41 or the monitoring IC 31, it generates wireless data by adding communication control information and communication protection data to the data unit and transmits the data wirelessly. The communication control information is information required for wireless communication, such as the addresses of the sender and the destination. The communication protection data is data for inspecting and protecting the communication control information, and is generated by the transmitting wireless IC 32, 42 according to a predetermined rule.

[0073] The wireless ICs 32 and 42, which are the receiving side, inspect the received communication control information based on the communication protection data of the received wireless data in accordance with a predetermined rule, and analyze (determine) whether the wireless data is being transmitted and received correctly. After the analysis, the wireless ICs 32 and 42 obtain a data unit and transmit it to the battery control MCU 41 or the monitoring IC 31.

[0074] In this embodiment, the wireless ICs 32, 42 perform a plurality of types of checks, similar to the protection mechanisms 38, 48. For example, a cyclic redundancy check, an ID check, a sequence check, a timeout check, etc. are performed. These checks are performed by a CPU of the wireless ICs 32, 42 executing a program stored in a ROM of the wireless ICs 32, 42. Note that a check means may be configured by hardware (such as a circuit) and mounted on the wireless ICs 32, 42. The contents of the checks are almost the same as those of the protection mechanisms 38, 48, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0075] <Specific examples of inspection methods> Hereinafter, how the check is performed in wireless communication in a steady state will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0076] 7, the battery control MCU 41 identifies the destination information and the type and number of commands that are to be sent first according to the communication schedule in Fig. 6, and creates a data unit D1 (step S51). Note that the type and number of commands included in the data unit are arbitrary, but it is desirable for the data unit to include a pair of an execution instruction command that specifies the process to be executed by the monitoring IC 31 (such as a sensing operation) and a read instruction command that instructs the monitoring IC 31 to read the results of the process (such as detected battery information).

[0077] 7, the battery control MCU 41 transmits the data unit D1 to the master side wireless IC 42 at a predetermined output timing in accordance with the communication schedule (step S52). The master side wireless IC 42 adds communication control information and communication protection data to the received data unit D1 to generate wireless data DM1 (step S53).

[0078] The master side wireless IC 42 transmits the wireless data DM1 to the slave side wireless IC 32 (step S54). The slave side wireless IC 32 checks based on the communication protection data to determine whether the wireless data DM1 is addressed to itself (step S55). If the data is normal, the slave side wireless IC 32 extracts the data unit D1 from the received wireless data DM1 (step S56).

[0079] 8, the slave side wireless IC 32 transmits the command CD1 included in the data unit D1 to the monitor IC 31 based on the destination information (step S56). In this embodiment, the command CD1 is assumed to be an execution instruction command. The destination information and the command CD1 are also transmitted.

[0080] The monitoring IC 31 executes the process specified by the command CD1 (step S57). After completing the process, the monitoring IC 31 generates reply data DR1 to be sent back to the slave side wireless IC 32 (step S58). Specifically, the monitoring IC 31 includes the destination information and command 1 (sequence number) in the reply data DR1 to be sent back to the slave side wireless IC 32 as a feedback response. The monitoring IC 31 also creates CRC data of the destination information and command CD1 and includes it in the reply data DR1. At this time, the monitoring IC 31 may include its own ID number and CRC data of the ID number in the reply data DR1.

[0081] Then, the monitor IC 31 transmits the reply data DR1 to the slave side wireless IC 32 (step S58). The slave side wireless IC 32 stores the received reply data DR1 (step S59).

[0082] 9, the slave side wireless IC 32 reads out the next command CD2 included in the data unit D1 and transmits it to the monitoring IC 31 as described above (step S60). In this embodiment, the command CD2 is a read command to read out the processing result of the command CD1. The processing of the subsequent steps S61 to S63 is almost the same as steps S56 to S59, so a detailed description will be omitted. Note that since the command CD2 is a read command to read out the processing result of the command CD1, the read data such as the detected battery information is included in the reply data DR2 in step S62, and the read data is also subject to the CRC data, which is a slight difference.

[0083] Also, as shown in Fig. 8, during the processing of steps S56 to S63, the battery control MCU 41 may transmit the next data unit D2 to another battery monitoring device 30 (SBM2 in Fig. 8) according to the communication schedule (steps S91 to S93). That is, during processing of a certain battery monitoring device 30 (SBM1), the battery control device 40 may perform wireless communication with the other battery monitoring device 30 (SBM2) in parallel. This makes it possible to proceed with the processing of the other battery monitoring device 30 (SBM2) in parallel with the processing of a certain battery monitoring device 30 (SBM1).

[0084] After outputting all commands CD1 and CD2 included in the data unit D1 and storing the reply data DR1 and DR2 as the processing results, the slave side wireless IC 32 assembles them to generate a reply data unit R1 (step S64) as shown in Fig. 10. Then, the slave side wireless IC 32 converts the reply data unit R1 into wireless data DM3 and transmits it to the master side wireless IC 42 (step S65). When determining whether the wireless data DM3 is addressed to the master side wireless IC 42, the master side wireless IC 42 performs an inspection based on the communication protection data (step S66). If normal, the slave side wireless IC 32 extracts the reply data unit R1 from the received wireless data DM3 and transmits it to the battery control MCU 41 (step S67).

[0085] As shown in FIG. 11, the reply data unit R1 includes destination information and a command (sequence number), their CRC data, a data portion including an ID number and read data, and their CRC data.

[0086] The battery control MCU 41 generates CRC data from the protected data, and executes a cyclic redundancy check by determining whether or not the CRC data matches the CRC data included in the reply data unit R1 (step S71).

[0087] Next, the battery control MCU 41 checks the feedback response to determine whether the combination of destination information and command included in the reply data unit R1 matches that transmitted (step S72).

[0088] Next, the battery control MCU 41 checks the combination of destination information and command (sequence number) according to the communication schedule (step S73). The battery control MCU 41 also performs a timeout check to determine whether a predetermined time has elapsed from transmission to reception according to the communication schedule (step S74). The battery control MCU 41 also performs an ID check to determine whether an ID number included in the reply data unit R1 corresponds to the destination information (step S75). The battery control MCU 41 also performs destination confirmation to determine whether each ID number associated with each command included in the reply data unit R1 matches the destination information (step S76).

[0089] If no abnormality is found in these tests, the battery control MCU 41 determines that normal communication has been performed, and if any abnormality is found in any of the tests, it notifies a communication error. If normal communication has been performed, the battery control MCU 41 obtains the processing results such as battery information from the read data and performs various controls.

[0090] According to the configuration of the first embodiment, the following advantageous effects can be obtained.

[0091] At the start of communication, when the slave wireless IC 32 executes authentication processing with the master wireless IC 42, it instructs the monitoring IC 31 to perform an initial operation in parallel. This allows the monitoring IC 31 to execute the initial operation without waiting for the authentication processing to finish. Therefore, the initial operation can be completed quickly. This makes it possible to shorten the time from when the ignition switch is turned on to when the vehicle can be driven, for example.

[0092] A plurality of commands related to the initial operation are stored. Therefore, the battery monitoring device 30 can instruct the initial operation without communicating with the battery control device 40. When communication ends, the battery control device 40 outputs a command related to the next initial operation and stores the command in the child-side wireless IC 32 of the battery monitoring device 30. Therefore, the battery control device 40 can change the command related to the next initial operation depending on the situation when communication ends.

[0093] The battery monitoring device 30 and the battery control device 40 are provided with protection mechanisms 38, 48 for protecting battery information during wireless communication. Therefore, even if there is an influence of radio waves from outside the housing 50, it is possible to detect this and to perform wireless communication appropriately.

[0094] The protection mechanisms 38, 48 are provided in the monitoring IC 31 and the battery control MCU 41, respectively. The transmission-side and reception-side protection mechanisms 38, 48 cooperate to inspect the communication layer between the monitoring IC 31 and the battery control MCU 41 to protect the battery information. This makes it possible to protect the data unit between the monitoring IC 31 and the battery control MCU 41 without considering the configuration of the communication layer between the monitoring-side wireless IC 32 and the control-side wireless IC 42. In other words, it becomes possible to design each communication layer independently, simplifying the design.

[0095] When transmitting protected data such as battery information, the monitoring IC 31 generates CRC data (error detection code) for detecting errors based on the protected data and includes the CRC data in the data unit to be transmitted. The battery control MCU 41 checks whether there is an error in the protected data based on the CRC data of the received data unit. In other words, a cyclic redundancy check is performed. This makes it possible to check for errors caused by the influence of external radio waves in wireless communication.

[0096] When transmitting a data unit, the monitoring IC 31 includes identification information (ID number) of the sender in the data unit. The battery control MCU 41 checks whether the sender is correct or not based on the ID number included in the received data unit. In other words, it performs an ID check. Therefore, when wireless communication is performed, it is possible to check for an error in the sender, which is more likely to occur due to the influence of external radio waves in wireless communication.

[0097] Data units transmitted and received are assigned sequence information (sequence numbers). Based on the sequence number included in the received data unit, the battery control MCU 41 checks whether the data unit has been received at the reception timing determined according to the communication schedule. In other words, it performs a sequence check and a timeout check. Therefore, when wireless communication is performed, it is possible to check for errors in the transmission order, transmission omissions, transmission delays, and the like, which are more likely to occur in wireless communication due to the influence of external radio waves.

[0098] An inspection is also performed in the communication layer between the monitoring-side wireless IC 32 and the control-side wireless IC 42. Therefore, inspection is performed twice, in the communication layer between the monitoring IC 31 and the battery control MCU 41 and in the communication layer between the monitoring-side wireless IC 32 and the control-side wireless IC 42, and battery information can be sent more reliably. In addition, the communication protection data provided between the wireless ICs 32 and 42 inspects and protects the communication control information, so that it is possible to suppress redundancy of wireless data compared to the case where battery information is also protected. Therefore, power consumption can be suppressed.

[0099] When the monitoring IC 31 receives destination information and a command from the battery control MCU 41, it returns the received destination information and command as is (feedback response). The battery control MCU 41 determines whether the destination information and command returned as feedback from the monitoring IC 31 match the destination information and command it sent. This makes it possible to confirm whether the command was sent without error.

[0100] The battery control device 40 transmits a plurality of commands to the battery monitoring device 30 by including them in a data unit. The commands transmitted in a lump include a pair of an execution command for instructing processing and a read command for instructing a return of the processing result. The child device side wireless IC 32 sequentially transmits the plurality of commands contained in the received data unit to the monitoring IC 31. The monitoring IC 31 performs processing based on the commands, gives its own ID number to the data unit as a feedback response, and transmits the data unit to the child device side wireless IC 32. When the child device side wireless IC 32 receives a return of a plurality of commands contained in the data unit from the monitoring IC 31, the child device side wireless IC 32 generates a data unit by integrating the commands to which the ID numbers are given, and transmits the data unit to the battery control device 40. When the ID numbers given to the commands contained in the received data unit match the destination information, the battery control MCU 41 determines that the wired communication between the battery control MCU 41 and the parent device side wireless IC 42, the wireless communication between the child device side wireless IC 32 and the parent device side wireless IC 42, and the wired communication between the child device side wireless IC 32 and the monitoring IC 31 have been performed normally.

[0101] In addition, a pair of an execution command and a read command is included in one data unit, so that it is possible to confirm that the monitoring IC 31 that executed the process in the destination confirmation is the same monitoring IC 31 that reads the process result.

[0102] The battery control device 40 collectively includes a plurality of commands in a data unit and transmits the data unit to the battery monitoring device 30, and accumulates the plurality of commands in the battery monitoring device 30. Then, while the slave-side wireless IC 32 sequentially transmits the plurality of commands included in the data unit to the monitoring IC 31, it transmits the data unit to the other battery monitoring device 30. This allows wireless communication with the other battery monitoring device 30 during processing of a certain battery monitoring device 30. Also, it is possible to cause two or more battery monitoring devices 30 to perform processing in parallel. This allows time to be used efficiently. Also, since multiple commands are transmitted collectively, the number of communications can be reduced. As a result, the overall amount of communication data can be suppressed.

[0103] When the destination battery monitoring device 30 is different, the battery control device 40 generates a data unit to be transmitted with different destination information even for the same command. This allows the destination monitoring IC 31 to be reliably identified and executed.

[0104] The battery control device 40 assigns an individual ID number to each monitoring IC 31. This makes it possible to reliably identify the monitoring IC 31 that is the destination of the transmission.

[0105] (Modification of the first embodiment) Below, a description will be given of a modified example in which a part of the configuration of the first embodiment is changed. Note that, below, the first embodiment will be described as the basic configuration, and the same configuration as the first embodiment will be given the same reference numerals and the description will be omitted.

[0106] In the above embodiment, the monitoring IC 31 may perform a cyclic redundancy check on the data unit received from the battery control MCU 41. In this case, it is preferable that the battery control MCU 41 generates and adds CRC data for each command to be transmitted, but the generation and addition of CRC data by the battery control MCU 41 may be omitted. In this case, when the slave side wireless IC 32 receives a data unit from the battery control MCU 41, it refers to a correspondence table between commands and CRC data, adds CRC data according to the received command, and transmits the data unit to the monitoring IC 31. As described above, data is also inspected and protected in the communication layer between the master side wireless IC 42 and the slave side wireless IC 32. Therefore, even if the battery control MCU 41 does not add CRC data, data errors are detected between the master side wireless IC 42 and the slave side wireless IC 32.

[0107] In the first embodiment, the sequence number may be changed to any number. For example, a counter may be used to set sequence numbers in sequence.

[0108] In the first embodiment, the objects of the feedback response are not limited to the destination information and the command. For example, if other data (such as CRC data) is added to the destination information and the command, the data may be fed back.

[0109] In the above embodiment, all battery information is protected by the protection mechanisms 38 and 48, but selective protection may be used. In this case, the information to be protected may be selected based on importance or environment.

[0110] For example, the temperature of the battery cells 22 generally does not change as easily as the voltage or SOC. Therefore, compared to the voltage information or SOC, it can be said that there is little problem even if the temperature information is updated less frequently. Therefore, among the battery information, only information that needs to be updated more frequently, such as the voltage information and SOC, may be protected, and information that needs to be updated less frequently, such as the temperature information, may not be protected. Also, for example, when the temperature in the vehicle 10 rises and the vehicle is in an environment where the temperature of the battery cells 22 is likely to rise, the temperature information may be protected.

[0111] In the above embodiment, the protection mechanism 38 is provided for all the monitoring ICs 31 of the battery monitoring devices 30, but it may be provided for only some of the monitoring ICs 31. In other words, it is sufficient to provide the protection mechanism 38 for at least the battery monitoring devices 30 that are susceptible to the effects of external radio waves.

[0112] In the above embodiment, a battery monitoring device 30 is provided for each battery block 21, but one battery monitoring device 30 may be provided for multiple battery blocks 21, or multiple battery monitoring devices 30 may be provided for one battery block 21.

[0113] In the above embodiment, one monitoring IC 31 is provided for each battery monitoring device 30, but multiple monitoring ICs 31 may be provided. In this case, a wireless IC 32 may be provided for each monitoring IC 31, or one wireless IC 32 may be provided for multiple monitoring ICs 31. When one wireless IC 32 is provided for multiple monitoring ICs 31, the wireless IC 32 may transmit the battery information received from the monitoring ICs 31 separately, or may transmit the multiple pieces of battery information together.

[0114] In the above embodiment, one monitoring IC 31 is provided for the plurality of battery cells 22. However, one monitoring IC 31 may be provided for one battery cell 22.

[0115] In the above embodiment, the monitoring IC 31 collectively transmits the battery information of each battery cell 22 constituting the battery block 21 to be monitored, but the monitoring IC 31 may be configured to transmit the battery information of each battery cell 22 separately. Also, the monitoring IC 31 may be configured to transmit selected pieces of battery information of each battery cell 22 constituting the battery block 21 to be monitored. For example, as described above, the information of the battery cells 22 to be transmitted may be selected based on importance or environment.

[0116] In the above embodiment, the monitoring IC 31 protects all the battery information of each battery cell 22 constituting the battery block 21 to be monitored, but the battery information to be protected may be selected. For example, as described above, the information of the battery cells 22 to be protected may be selected based on importance or environment.

[0117] In the above embodiment, a plurality of battery control devices 40 may be provided.

[0118] In the above embodiment, it is not necessary to perform wireless communication with all the battery monitoring devices 30, and wired communication may be performed with some of the battery monitoring devices 30. For example, when the distance between the battery monitoring device 30 and the battery control device 40 is long and a transparent portion is disposed between them, making the wireless communication environment poor, they may be connected for wired communication.

[0119] In the above embodiment, the wireless ICs 32 and 42 inspect and protect the wireless control information, but they may inspect and protect message data including battery information in the same manner. They may also inspect and protect data units in the same manner. This makes it possible to transmit and receive battery information more reliably.

[0120] In the above embodiment, the wireless ICs 32, 42 may perform a timeout check of wireless data between them. In this case, the time from transmission to reception that results in a timeout may be different from the timeout check performed between the monitoring IC 31 and the battery control MCU 41. Specifically, the time that results in a timeout in communication between the wireless ICs 32, 42 may be shorter than the time that results in a timeout in communication between the monitoring IC 31 and the battery control MCU 41.

[0121] In other words, the timeout check between the wireless ICs 32 and 42 is mainly for ensuring the reliability of wireless data, such as by detecting that the wireless data is correct and there is no delay and retransmitting it. For this reason, it is desirable to check every time wireless data is transmitted and received. On the other hand, as long as the battery information is transmitted and received correctly between the time when the abnormality occurs and the time when the dangerous state occurs, there is more time to do so than in the communication between the wireless ICs 32 and 42. For this reason, the time when the communication between the monitoring IC 31 and the battery control MCU 41 times out may be made longer than the time when the communication between the wireless ICs 32 and 42 times out.

[0122] In the above embodiment, the wireless ICs 32, 42 may check the IDs of the wireless ICs 32, 42 between each other. In this case, the frequency (cycle) of checking the ID numbers of the wireless ICs 32, 42 may be different from the ID check performed between the monitoring IC 31 and the battery control MCU 41. Specifically, the cycle of the ID check in the communication between the wireless ICs 32, 42 may be shorter than the cycle of the ID check performed between the monitoring IC 31 and the battery control MCU 41.

[0123] In the above embodiment, the wireless ICs 32 and 42 may perform a cyclic redundancy check (CRC) of wireless data between them. In this case, it is not necessary to check the data units, and CRC may be performed only on the communication control information. Of course, CRC may also be performed between the wireless ICs 32 and 42, including battery information.

[0124] In the above embodiment, the wireless ICs 32, 42 may perform a sequence check of wireless data between them. In this case, the frequency (period) of performing the sequence check between the wireless ICs 32, 42 may be different from the execution period of the sequence check performed between the monitoring IC 31 and the battery control MCU 41. Specifically, the period of performing the sequence check between the wireless ICs 32, 42 may be shorter than the period of performing the sequence check between the monitoring IC 31 and the battery control MCU 41.

[0125] In the above embodiment, an inspection is also performed on the communication layer between the wireless IC 32 and the wireless IC 42. However, this does not have to be the case if an inspection of the data unit is performed between the monitoring IC 31 and the battery control MCU 41.

[0126] In the above embodiment, the communication control information is inspected between the wireless IC 32 and the wireless IC 42. However, it is also possible to inspect not only the communication control information but also both the communication control information and the data unit. This makes it possible to perform wireless communication more reliably.

[0127] In the above embodiment, an error in message data including battery information and commands is detected by a cyclic redundancy check (CRC), but other detection methods may be used. For example, a parity check, a checksum, a hash, etc. may be used. Also, in addition to error detection, an error detection and correction code may be used to detect an error and then correct the error.

[0128] In the above embodiment, a sequence number is included in the test data, and sequence checks and timeout checks are performed based on the sequence number. As another example, time information such as a transmission time or a timestamp may be included in the test data, and sequence checks and timeout checks may be performed based on the time information.

[0129] In the above embodiment, the battery control MCU 41 instructs the monitoring IC 31 to obtain and return battery information, and the monitoring IC 31 obtains and transmits the battery information accordingly. As another example, the monitoring IC 31 may obtain and transmit battery information at a predetermined transmission timing according to a predetermined communication schedule. In this case, the battery control MCU 41 stores the same communication schedule as the transmitting side, and checks whether or not battery information is received at a predetermined reception timing according to the communication schedule. This reduces the amount of communication and the possibility of communication errors.

[0130] In the communication schedule of the above embodiment, the output timing of the command to detect the battery voltage may be determined so as to be periodically executed within a range where the safety of the battery pack 20 can be ensured. Similarly, in the above communication schedule, the output timing of the command to detect the battery temperature may be determined so as to be periodically executed within a range where the safety of the battery pack 20 can be ensured. Similarly, in the above communication schedule, the output timing of the command to perform self-diagnosis may be determined so as to be periodically executed within a range where the safety of the battery pack 20 can be ensured. Similarly, in the communication schedule, the start-up timing for the equalization process and the timing for performing the initial operation may also be determined in advance within a range where the safety of the battery pack 20 can be ensured.

[0131] In the above embodiment, the protection mechanisms 38, 48 may select whether or not to protect (inspect) the battery information depending on the state (voltage, SOC, temperature) of the battery cell 22 to be monitored.

[0132] For example, if the voltage, temperature, or SOC of the battery cell 22 is outside a predetermined allowable range, charging or discharging may not be performed properly. Therefore, if the voltage, temperature, or SOC of the battery cell 22 is near the upper or lower limit of the allowable range (within a predetermined range based on the upper or lower limit), when battery information is transmitted and received between the monitoring IC 31 that monitors the battery cell 22 and the battery control MCU 41, it is desirable to protect the battery information by inspecting whether the battery information is transmitted and received correctly.

[0133] Furthermore, for example, if battery information of a battery cell 22 has not been received for a predetermined period of time or longer, when the battery information is transmitted and received between the monitoring IC 31 that monitors that battery cell 22 and the battery control MCU 41, it is desirable to check whether the battery information is transmitted and received correctly in order to protect the battery information.

[0134] In the first embodiment, an inspection device provided outside the vehicle may be used instead of the battery control device 40 to perform wireless communication with the battery monitoring device 30. In this case, the inspection device provided outside the vehicle has the same functions as the battery control device 40. This makes it possible to quickly collect battery information.

[0135] In the first embodiment, when communication starts, the slave side wireless IC 32 outputs a connection request signal, and when the master side wireless IC 42 finds the connection request signal, it outputs a slave discovery signal and then performs authentication processing. As a variation of this, when communication starts, the master side wireless IC 42 outputs a connection request signal, and when the slave side wireless IC 32 finds the connection request signal, it outputs a master discovery signal and then performs authentication processing. In this case, the slave side wireless IC 32 may issue an operation instruction for an initial operation to the monitoring IC 31 in response to the input of the connection request signal.

[0136] (Other variations) The battery monitoring system is not limited to the configuration described in the above embodiment.

[0137] [Problem to be solved by the invention] The battery monitoring system includes a housing that houses a battery, a monitoring unit, and a control unit. Here, it is desirable to make optimal use of the space within the housing to implement communication between the monitoring unit and the control unit.

[0138] The main purpose of the following first to eleventh configurations is to provide a battery pack that can appropriately utilize the space within the casing in order to carry out communication between a monitoring unit and a control unit.

[0139] [Means for solving the problem] <First Configuration> The first configuration includes a battery (110); A monitoring unit (200) that monitors the state of the battery and transmits battery information that is the monitoring result; A control unit (300) that communicates with the monitoring unit to acquire the battery information and executes various controls; A housing (400); A battery monitoring system comprising: The housing has a bottom plate portion (410), walls (420, 430) formed along the peripheral edge of the bottom plate portion, and a cover (440) that covers the walls from above, The battery, the monitoring unit, and the control unit are accommodated in an accommodation space (SP) formed by the bottom plate portion, the wall portion, and the cover, A protrusion (441, 442) is formed on the upper surface of the cover, protruding upward and extending in a specific direction along the upper surface, A recess (441a, 442a) recessed toward the upper surface side of the cover is formed along the protrusion on the lower surface side of the cover, When the housing is viewed in the thickness direction of the cover, at least one of the monitoring unit and the control unit is disposed near the recess.

[0140] In the first configuration, a recess is formed along the protrusion on the lower surface side of the cover, recessed toward the upper surface side of the cover. When the housing is viewed from the thickness direction of the cover, at least one of the monitoring unit and the control unit is disposed near the recess. Therefore, the recess can be used as a communication path (e.g., a propagation path of radio waves) when communication in a specific direction is performed between the monitoring unit and the control unit. In this way, according to the first configuration, the recess provided integrally with the cover constituting the housing can be effectively used to perform communication between the monitoring unit and the control unit.

[0141] Here, arranging at least one of the monitoring unit and the control unit near the recess does not only mean that at least one of the monitoring unit and the control unit is arranged vertically below the recess, but also that at least one of the monitoring unit and the control unit is arranged at a position that is approximately several times the width of the recess in the above-mentioned specific direction and in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction, relative to a position vertically below the recess.

[0142] <Second Configuration> The second configuration is the first configuration, further comprising a monitoring side antenna (201) for transmitting and receiving data between the monitoring unit and the monitoring side antenna; a control-side antenna (301) for transmitting and receiving data to and from the control unit and for wirelessly communicating with the monitoring-side antenna; A communication line (302) electrically connecting the control unit and the control-side antenna; Equipped with the control-side antenna and the communication wiring are disposed in the recess in the accommodation space, The monitoring antenna is disposed below the recess in the accommodation space, When the housing is viewed in the thickness direction of the cover, at least a portion of the monitoring antenna overlaps with the recess.

[0143] In the second configuration, the recess in the housing space can be effectively used as a space for arranging the control-side antenna and communication wiring for performing wireless communication.

[0144] In the second configuration, the monitoring antenna is disposed below the recess in the housing space, and at least a portion of the monitoring antenna overlaps with the recess when the housing is viewed from the thickness direction of the cover. This allows the monitoring antenna and the control antenna to be close to each other, and ensures accurate wireless communication between the monitoring unit and the control unit.

[0145] <Third Configuration> The third configuration is the second configuration, wherein a plurality of fastening portions (450) protruding from a lower surface of the cover are arranged in the specific direction in an area of ​​the cover other than the area in which the protrusion is formed, The battery is a plurality of batteries, the monitoring unit is provided individually corresponding to each of the plurality of batteries that are grouped into a monitoring target battery (110); The monitoring antenna is provided individually corresponding to each of the monitoring units, When the housing is viewed in the thickness direction of the cover, the monitoring antennas are disposed at positions that do not overlap with the fastening portions.

[0146] According to the third configuration, the fastening parts are less likely to interfere with radio waves exchanged between the control antenna and the monitoring antenna, thereby improving the quality of wireless communication.

[0147] <Fourth Configuration> The fourth configuration includes a battery (110); A monitoring unit (200) that monitors the state of the battery and transmits battery information that is the monitoring result; A control unit (300) that communicates with the monitoring unit to acquire the battery information and executes various controls; A housing (400); A battery monitoring system comprising: The housing has a bottom plate portion (410), walls (420, 430) formed along the peripheral edge of the bottom plate portion, and a cover (440) that covers the walls from above, The battery, the monitoring unit, and the control unit are accommodated in an accommodation space (SP) formed by the bottom plate portion, the wall portion, and the cover, The battery is a plurality of batteries, The monitoring unit is provided individually corresponding to each of the plurality of batteries that are grouped into a monitoring target battery (110, 130), A monitoring antenna (201) provided individually corresponding to each of the monitoring units for transmitting and receiving data between the monitoring units; A control-side antenna (301) that transmits and receives data to and from the control unit and that performs wireless communication with the monitoring-side antenna; Equipped with the monitoring unit, the monitoring antenna, and the control antenna are disposed in a space between the battery and the cover in the accommodation space, the monitoring unit and the monitoring-side antenna are disposed in a first housing space on one side of a center in a short-side direction of the housing, and a second housing space on the other side of the center in the short-side direction of the housing, among the housing spaces; The control side antenna is a plurality of antennas, Of the control-side antennas, some of the control-side antennas are arranged in the first accommodating space, and the remaining control-side antennas are arranged in the second accommodating space.

[0148] In the fourth configuration, the monitoring unit, the monitoring antenna, and the control antenna are disposed between the battery and the cover in the housing space. Also, the monitoring unit and the monitoring antenna are disposed in a first housing space on one side of the center in the short side direction of the housing and a second housing space on the other side of the center in the short side direction of the housing in the housing space.

[0149] In the fourth configuration, among the multiple control-side antennas, some of the control-side antennas are arranged in the first housing space, and the remaining control-side antennas are arranged in the second housing space. Therefore, in the first housing space, the monitoring-side antenna arranged in the space between the battery and the cover can be brought close to the control-side antenna. Also, in the second housing space, the monitoring-side antenna arranged in the space between the battery and the cover can be brought close to the control-side antenna. This makes it easier for radio waves to reach between the control-side antenna and the monitoring-side antenna, improving the quality of wireless communication.

[0150] <Fifth Configuration> The fourth configuration can be embodied, for example, as a fifth configuration, in which the control unit is disposed in the vicinity of a central position in the lateral direction of the housing within the accommodation space.

[0151] <Sixth Configuration> A sixth configuration is the fourth or fifth configuration, wherein a plurality of the monitoring units are arranged in the first accommodation space and the second accommodation space in a line in a longitudinal direction of the housing, When the housing is viewed from the thickness direction of the cover, a predetermined member (460, 450) is arranged between the monitoring units housed in the first housing space and the monitoring units housed in the second housing space within the housing space.

[0152] According to the sixth configuration, a specific component that interferes with radio waves is placed in the central space in the short side direction of the housing's storage space, and the spaces on both sides of the specific component in the short side direction of the storage space are used as wireless communication spaces. Therefore, the specific component is less likely to interfere with radio waves exchanged between the control antenna and the monitoring antenna. This makes it possible to improve the quality of wireless communication.

[0153] <Seventh Configuration> The sixth configuration can be embodied, for example, as a seventh configuration, in which the distance between adjacent monitoring units in the longitudinal direction of the housing is shorter than the distance between adjacent monitoring units in the lateral direction of the housing; The predetermined member is disposed between the adjacent monitoring units in the short-side direction of the housing.

[0154] <8th Configuration> An eighth configuration is the fourth configuration, wherein a plurality of the monitored batteries (130) are arranged in the first accommodation space and the second accommodation space in a line in a longitudinal direction of the housing, the monitoring unit and the monitoring antenna corresponding to each of the monitored batteries arranged in the first accommodation space are arranged side by side in a longitudinal direction of the housing, the monitoring unit and the monitoring antenna corresponding to each of the monitored batteries arranged in the second accommodation space are arranged side by side in a longitudinal direction of the housing, a first conductive member (620-622) disposed in a space on both sides of the monitoring units and the monitoring side antennas in the short side direction of the housing in the first housing space, the first conductive member electrically connecting the monitored batteries disposed in the first housing space; second conductive members (620-622) disposed in the second housing space on both sides of the monitoring units and the monitoring antennas in the short-side direction of the housing, electrically connecting the monitored batteries disposed in the second housing space; Equipped with The first conductive member and the second conductive member are arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction of the housing.

[0155] According to the eighth configuration, it is possible to ensure wireless communication paths in the direction in which each monitoring unit and each monitoring-side antenna are arranged within the accommodation space of the housing.

[0156] <The 9th Constitution> A ninth configuration is any one of the second to eighth configurations, wherein an upper surface of the battery is located above a boundary between the cover and the wall portion in a height direction of the housing.

[0157] There is a risk that external radio waves may enter the inside of the housing through the boundary between the cover and the wall. In this regard, the ninth configuration makes it difficult for external radio waves to reach the space between the cover and the battery.

[0158] <10th Component> A tenth configuration is the ninth configuration, wherein the cover is made of a metal material; The wall portion and the bottom plate portion are made of synthetic resin, The monitoring unit and the monitoring antenna are disposed in the space between the cover and the battery in the accommodation space.

[0159] According to the tenth configuration, the monitoring unit and the monitoring antenna are sandwiched between the cover and the battery that have an electromagnetic shielding effect. This makes it difficult for external radio waves that enter through the boundary portion to reach the monitoring unit and the monitoring antenna. In addition, according to the tenth configuration, the wall and bottom plate are made of synthetic resin, which makes it possible to reduce the weight of the housing.

[0160] <11th Component> An eleventh configuration is the ninth configuration, wherein the battery pack mounted on the moving object comprises: At least one of the cover, the wall portion, and the bottom plate portion is made of a synthetic resin, The moving body includes a body portion (500) made of a metal material, The housing is disposed in a storage space (SS) formed in the body portion, In the housing space within the body portion, a space is formed between the body portion and the housing.

[0161] In the eleventh configuration, in order to reduce the weight of the housing, at least one of the cover, the wall portion, and the bottom plate portion is made of synthetic resin. In this case, there is a concern that radio waves may leak to the outside from the portion of the housing made of synthetic resin, or that external radio waves may enter the inside of the housing through the portion made of synthetic resin.

[0162] In this regard, in the eleventh configuration, a storage space is formed in the body part made of a metal material, and the housing is disposed in the storage space. This makes it possible to prevent radio waves from leaking to the outside and from entering the inside of the housing. In addition, in the storage space in the body part, the space formed between the body part and the housing can be used as a wireless communication space, making it possible to properly carry out wireless communication.

[0163] [Problem to be solved by the invention] In a configuration in which the control unit is disposed in the housing space, a dedicated space must be provided, which makes it impossible to reduce the size of the housing.

[0164] The main object of the following twelfth to twenty-second configurations is to provide a battery pack that can reduce the size of the housing.

[0165] [Means for solving the problem] <12th Component> The twelfth configuration includes a battery (110), a monitoring unit (200) that monitors the state of the battery and transmits battery information that is the monitoring result, A control unit (300) that communicates with the monitoring unit to acquire the battery information and executes various controls; A control side antenna (301) for transmitting and receiving data between the control unit and the control device; A battery monitoring system comprising: The housing has a bottom plate portion (410), walls (420, 430) formed along the peripheral edge of the bottom plate portion, and a cover (440) that covers the walls from above, The battery and the monitoring unit are accommodated in an accommodation space (SP) formed by the bottom plate portion, the wall portion and the cover, The control unit and the control-side antenna are disposed on a surface or outside of the housing, a relay device (220, 230) provided in the housing and relaying communication between the control-side antenna and the monitoring unit; The control unit receives the battery information transmitted from the monitoring unit via the relay device and the control-side antenna.

[0166] In the twelfth configuration, the control unit and the control-side antenna are arranged on the surface or outside of the housing. This ensures the freedom of mounting the control unit and the control-side antenna, for example, allowing them to be arranged in a limited space in the vehicle. However, in this case, the housing may become an obstacle to signal transmission and reception.

[0167] Therefore, in the twelfth configuration, a relay device that relays communication between the control-side antenna and the monitoring unit is provided in the housing, so that the control unit can receive the battery information transmitted from the monitoring unit via the relay device and the control-side antenna.

[0168] <The 13th Constitution> The twelfth configuration can be embodied as, for example, a thirteenth configuration. In the thirteenth configuration, a through hole (441) is formed in the housing, the relay device has an elongated shape and is inserted into the through hole, one of the longitudinal ends of the relay device that is closer to the outside of the housing is an antenna (220a) that is disposed outside the housing; The relay device is provided with a communication line that electrically connects the antenna and the monitoring unit.

[0169] <14th Component> A fourteenth configuration is the thirteenth configuration, wherein the through hole is formed in the cover, The lower end of the relay device extends to the battery.

[0170] <15th Component> A fifteenth configuration is the fourteenth configuration, wherein a lower end of the intermediate device extends into a gap between adjacent batteries.

[0171] According to the fourteenth or fifteenth configuration, the monitoring unit disposed near the battery can be easily connected to the communication wiring of the relay device.

[0172] <16th Component> A sixteenth configuration is the fifteenth configuration, wherein a partition wall (472) is provided in the gap between adjacent batteries to separate and arrange the batteries; The monitoring unit is disposed in the gap between the adjacent batteries, above the partition wall.

[0173] According to the sixteenth configuration, the storage space of the housing can be effectively utilized, and the battery pack can be made smaller.

[0174] <17th Component> The twelfth configuration can be embodied as, for example, a seventeenth configuration. The seventeenth configuration includes a monitoring side antenna (201) that is accommodated in the accommodation space and transmits and receives data to and from the monitoring unit, The housing has a through hole (441) formed therein. The relay device is provided in the through hole and relays radio waves from one of the control-side antenna and the monitoring-side antenna to the other.

[0175] In the seventeenth configuration, the relay device absorbs radio waves and re-radiates the absorbed radio waves. This allows the relay device to relay radio waves from one of the monitoring side antenna arranged in the housing space and the control side antenna arranged outside the housing to the other. Note that, for example, a dielectric antenna can be used as the relay device.

[0176] <18th Constitution> An eighteenth configuration is the seventeenth configuration, wherein the through hole is formed in the cover.

[0177] <19th Constitution> A nineteenth configuration is any one of the fourteenth to sixteenth and eighteenth configurations, wherein a protrusion (441, 442) protruding upward and extending in a specific direction along the upper surface is formed on the upper surface of the cover; the relay device is provided in a plurality of rows in the specific direction in an area of ​​the cover other than the protruding portion, The upper end of the relay device is disposed on the upper surface side of the cover.

[0178] In the nineteenth configuration, the direction in which the protrusions extend and the direction in which the relay devices are arranged are the same (specific direction), so that a wireless communication path in the specific direction can be secured.

[0179] <20th Component> In addition, as in the twentieth configuration, the control unit and the control-side antenna can be disposed closer to the end than to the center of the housing in the specific direction.

[0180] <21st Component> A twenty-first configuration is any one of the twelfth to twentieth configurations, in a battery monitoring system mounted on a moving object, The moving body includes a body portion (500) made of a metal material, The housing is disposed in a storage space (SS) formed in the body portion, The control unit, the control-side antenna, and the housing are housed in an accommodation space within the body portion.

[0181] According to the 21st configuration, it is possible to prevent radio waves from leaking from the storage space inside the body to the outside, and to prevent external radio waves from entering the storage space inside the body.

[0182] <22nd Component> The 22nd configuration is any one of the 12th to 21st configurations, a battery diagnostic device located outside the housing; A battery diagnostic system comprising: The battery diagnostic device has an antenna that wirelessly communicates with the monitoring unit via the relay device, and acquires the battery information from the monitoring unit through the wireless communication.

[0183] According to the twenty-second configuration, the battery information can be acquired from the monitoring unit without removing the battery from the casing. Therefore, the battery diagnostic device can diagnose the state of the battery based on the acquired battery information.

[0184] (Embodiment A) Hereinafter, a battery pack according to the present invention will be described with reference to embodiment A of the present invention with reference to Figs. 12 to 19. The battery pack of this embodiment is mounted on vehicles such as hybrid cars, electric cars, and fuel cell cars. The vehicles include, for example, passenger cars, buses, construction vehicles, and agricultural machinery vehicles.

[0185] The battery pack 100 includes a battery block 110, a battery monitoring device, a battery control device, and a housing 400. The housing 400 corresponds to the housing 50 described in the first embodiment etc. The battery monitoring device corresponds to the battery monitoring device 30 described in the first embodiment etc., and the battery control device corresponds to the battery control device 40 described in the first embodiment etc.

[0186] The housing 400 includes a bottom plate portion 410 and a wall portion formed along the peripheral edge of the bottom plate portion 410. The bottom plate portion 410 has a rectangular shape, specifically, a rectangular shape. The wall portion includes a pair of first walls 420 extending in the short direction of the bottom plate portion 410 and a pair of second walls 430 extending in the long direction of the bottom plate portion 410.

[0187] The housing 400 includes a cover 440. The cover 440 covers the first wall portion 420 and the second wall portion 430 from above. The cover 440 is removable from a base portion consisting of the bottom plate portion 410 and the walls. The internal space formed by the bottom plate portion 410, the first wall portion 420, the second wall portion 430, and the cover 440 is an accommodation space SP that accommodates the battery block 110, the battery monitoring device, and the battery control device.

[0188] The cover 440 may have an electromagnetic shielding effect that blocks or absorbs radio waves, or may have no electromagnetic shielding effect. The cover 440 is configured to have an electromagnetic shielding effect by being made of, for example, a metal material (e.g., aluminum). The cover 440 is configured to have no electromagnetic shielding effect by being made of, for example, a synthetic resin.

[0189] Moreover, the base portion consisting of the bottom plate portion 410 and the wall portion may be configured to have an electromagnetic shielding effect or not have an electromagnetic shielding effect, similar to the cover 440. One of the cover 440 and the base portion may be configured to have an electromagnetic shielding effect, and the other may be configured to not have an electromagnetic shielding effect.

[0190] Incidentally, a seal member may be provided between the first wall portion 420 and the second wall portion 430 and the cover 440. The seal member is, for example, a gasket seal made of a non-conductive elastic material.

[0191] In this embodiment, the housing 400 is mounted on the vehicle so that the longitudinal direction of the rectangular parallelepiped housing 400 is the vehicle length direction. Fig. 12 and other figures show that the longitudinal direction of the housing 400 (the vehicle length direction) is the X direction, the short side direction of the housing 400 (the vehicle width direction) is the Y direction, and the height direction of the housing 400 is the Z direction. For example, the lower surface of the bottom plate portion 410 is the installation surface relative to the vehicle body.

[0192] The battery pack 100 includes a plurality of battery blocks 110. The plurality of battery blocks 110 are connected in series to form an assembled battery. The battery block 110 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape and is configured as a series connection of a plurality of battery cells 111 (single cells). The battery cells 111 correspond to the battery cells 22 in the first embodiment. In this embodiment, the battery cells 111 have a flat rectangular parallelepiped shape. As shown in FIG. 16(A), the plurality of battery cells 111 are stacked side by side in the longitudinal direction of the housing 400. The battery cells 111 are, for example, lithium ion secondary batteries or nickel-hydrogen secondary batteries. The lithium ion secondary battery is a secondary battery that uses lithium as a charge carrier. The battery cells 111 may be a general lithium ion secondary battery in which the electrolyte is liquid, or a so-called all-solid-state battery in which a solid electrolyte is used.

[0193] Incidentally, in each battery block 110, the multiple battery cells 111 may be stacked side by side in the short-side direction of the housing 400 as shown in Fig. 16(B). The multiple battery cells 111 constituting each battery block 110 may be connected in parallel to each other. The battery block may also be called a battery stack or a battery module.

[0194] 14, 15, and 18, the multiple battery blocks 110 are housed in the housing space SP of the housing 400. In this embodiment, five battery blocks 110 are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the housing 400, and two battery blocks 110 are arranged in the lateral direction of the housing 400 on the bottom plate portion 410.

[0195] 17 shows an example of a configuration in which a plurality of battery blocks 110 are connected in series. The battery block 110 includes a positive terminal 112P and a negative terminal 112M that protrude from the upper surface. More specifically, the positive terminal 112P and the negative terminal 112M are provided at the longitudinal end of the upper surface of the battery block 110, side by side in the lateral direction of the upper surface of the battery block 110. Each battery block 110 is arranged such that the longitudinal direction of each battery block 110 is the lateral direction of the housing 400. Of the pair of battery blocks 110 facing each other in the lateral direction of the housing 400, each battery block 110 is arranged such that the positive terminal 112P of one battery block faces the negative terminal 112M of the other battery block faces each other.

[0196] The battery pack 100 includes a busbar unit 120. The busbar unit 120 includes a plurality of conductive connection members 121 that electrically connect the positive terminal 112P and the negative terminal 112M. The busbar unit 120 includes a sealing portion 122 that covers each connection member 121 and is made of an electrically insulating material (e.g., synthetic resin), and is long as a whole. The cross section of the busbar unit 120 is rectangular as shown in FIG. 14. The battery blocks 110 are connected in series by the busbar unit 120. The battery pack formed by the plurality of battery blocks 110 serves as a power supply source for driving a rotating electric machine that serves as a driving power source for a vehicle. Among the battery blocks 110 connected in series, the positive terminal 112P of the battery block on the highest potential side is electrically connected to, for example, a high potential side terminal of an inverter via a predetermined positive wiring. Furthermore, among the battery blocks 110 connected in series, the negative electrode terminal 112M of the battery block on the lowest potential side is electrically connected to, for example, a low potential side terminal of an inverter via a predetermined negative wiring.

[0197] A plurality of openings are formed in the walls constituting the housing 400. More specifically, as shown in Fig. 12, a plurality of openings 431 are formed in the second wall 430. The openings 431 are used, for example, as a smoke exhaust port for exhausting smoke generated inside the housing 400, or as a vent for introducing outside air for cooling the assembled battery. The vent may be formed, for example, in the second wall 430, above the center position in the height direction.

[0198] The second wall portion 430 is provided with an explosion-proof valve 432. The explosion-proof valve 432 is a member for releasing gas inside the housing 400 when the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the housing 400 becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined value. The explosion-proof valve 432 is configured by closing a through hole formed in the second wall portion 430 with a lid member and welding or the like. When the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the housing 400 becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the lid member is removed to allow the gas to be discharged.

[0199] On the upper surface of the cover 440, a plurality of protrusions are formed, which protrude upward and extend in the longitudinal direction (specific direction) of the cover 440 along the upper surface of the cover 440. In this embodiment, three protrusions are formed. In detail, a central protrusion 441 is formed at the central position in the lateral direction of the cover 440, and end protrusions 442 are formed at both ends in the lateral direction of the cover 440. The end protrusions 442 are disposed symmetrically with respect to the central position in the lateral direction of the cover 440. The protrusions 441, 442 are formed continuously from one end to the other end in the longitudinal direction of the cover 440. The height dimension of the central protrusion 441 is greater than the height dimension of the end protrusions 442.

[0200] 14, central protrusion 441 has a central recess 441a formed on the lower surface side of cover 440, the central recess 441a being recessed toward the upper surface side of cover 440. Central recess 441a is formed along the extending direction of central protrusion 441. In this embodiment, busbar unit 120 is disposed in central recess 441a. Busbar unit 120 is disposed such that the short side direction of the cross section of busbar unit 120 coincides with the height direction of housing 400. Busbar unit 120 is disposed such that it does not protrude downward from the recessed space of central recess 441a, for example.

[0201] An end recess 442a is formed on the lower surface side of the cover 440 in the end protrusion 442, recessed toward the upper surface side of the cover 440. The end recess 442a is formed along the extension direction of the end protrusion 442. The recess dimension in the height direction of the end recess 442a is larger than the recess dimension in the height direction of the central recess 441a.

[0202] As shown in Figs. 12 to 14, the cover 440 is provided with a plurality of fastening parts 450 (six are illustrated in the drawings) for fixing a predetermined member to the cover 440. The fastening parts 450 are provided in a row in the longitudinal direction of the cover 440 in an area between the central protrusion 441 and the end protrusion 442 of the cover 440. The fastening parts 450 include a large diameter part 450a that contacts the upper surface of the cover 440, and a small diameter shaft part 450b that extends downward from the large diameter part 450a and has an outer diameter dimension smaller than that of the large diameter part 450a. With the large diameter part 450a in contact with the upper surface of the cover 440 and the small diameter shaft part 450b inserted into a through hole formed in the cover 440, a predetermined member is attached to the small diameter shaft part 450b. The predetermined member is, for example, a buffer member 460 made of an elastic material. The cushioning member 460 is sandwiched between the battery block 110 and the cover 440, for example.

[0203] Fastening portion 450 may be provided to fix cover 440 to a base portion consisting of bottom plate portion 410 and a wall portion. The specified member is not limited to cushioning member 460, and may be, for example, a bus bar extending in the longitudinal direction of housing 400, a safety plug, or a partition wall separating adjacent battery blocks 110. Instead of fastening portion 450, a portion protruding downward from the bottom surface of cover 440 may be formed.

[0204] 12 and 13, a protruding portion 421 that protrudes in the longitudinal direction is formed in the center in the short-side direction of one of the first walls 420. A recess 421a that is recessed toward the outer surface side in the long-side direction is formed on the inner surface side of the protruding portion 421. The control unit 300 is disposed in the recess 421a. In this embodiment, the control unit 300 has a flattened rectangular parallelepiped shape. The control unit 300 is disposed so that the longitudinal direction of the control unit 300 coincides with the short-side direction of the housing 400.

[0205] 12, a connector portion 422 for electrically connecting the inside and outside of the housing 400 is provided in a central portion in the short direction and on a lower side in the long direction of the protruding portion 421. The connector portion 422 electrically connects, for example, the battery pack and an inverter disposed outside the housing 400.

[0206] The battery monitoring device 210 includes a monitoring unit 200 and a monitoring antenna 201. In this embodiment, the monitoring unit 200 has a flat rectangular parallelepiped shape. The monitoring unit 200 corresponds to the monitoring IC 31 and the wireless IC 32 described in the first embodiment and the like. The monitoring antenna 201 corresponds to the wireless antenna 33. As shown in Figs. 15 and 18, the monitoring unit 200 and the monitoring antenna 201 are provided individually corresponding to each battery block 110 as a "monitored battery". In this embodiment, the monitoring unit 200 is provided on the upper surface of the battery block 110 to be monitored by the monitoring unit 200, and the monitoring antenna 201 is provided on the upper surface of the monitoring unit 200. Therefore, the monitoring units 200 and the monitoring antennas 201 are arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction of the housing 400.

[0207] The distance between adjacent monitoring units 200 in the longitudinal direction of the housing 400 is shorter than the distance between adjacent monitoring units 200 in the lateral direction of the housing 400. The buffer member 460 is disposed between adjacent monitoring units 200 in the lateral direction of the housing 400.

[0208] The battery control device includes a control unit 300, a control-side antenna 301, and a communication wiring 302. The control unit 300 corresponds to the battery control MCU 41 and the wireless IC 42 described in the first embodiment and the like. The control-side antenna 301 corresponds to the wireless antenna 43 described in the first embodiment and the like. The control-side antenna 301 is provided individually corresponding to each battery block 110. The control-side antenna 301 and the control unit 300 are electrically connected by the communication wiring 302 as shown in FIG. 19. The control-side antennas 301 are arranged in the end recess 442a in the longitudinal direction as shown in FIG. 13 and FIG. 18. The communication wiring 302 is also provided in the end recess 442a. The control-side antenna 301 is arranged so as not to protrude downward from the recessed space of the end recess 442a, for example. The control-side antennas 301 are arranged in a sequentially shifted manner in the short-side direction of the housing 400.

[0209] When the housing 400 is viewed from the thickness direction (Z direction) of the cover 440, the monitoring unit 200 is arranged so as to overlap with the end recess 442a. Moreover, when the housing 400 is viewed from the thickness direction (Z direction) of the cover 440, the antennas 201, 301 are arranged so that the control-side antenna 301 and the monitoring-side antenna 201 overlap. Therefore, the control-side antenna 301 and the monitoring-side antenna 201 corresponding to each battery block 110 are arranged in close positions. As a result, radio waves are easily received between the control-side antenna 301 and the monitoring-side antenna 201, and the quality of wireless communication between the control unit 300 and the monitoring unit 200 can be improved.

[0210] According to this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

[0211] The control-side antenna 301 and the communication wiring 302 are disposed in an end recess 442a formed on the underside of the end protrusion 442. Therefore, the end recess 442a formed integrally with the cover 440 constituting the housing 400 can be effectively utilized as an arrangement space for components for wireless communication between each monitoring unit 200 and the control unit 300.

[0212] The end recess 442a extends in the longitudinal direction of the housing 400. Therefore, a path of sufficient length can be secured as a communication path between each monitoring unit 200 and the control unit 300.

[0213] When radio waves are exchanged between the control-side antenna 301 and the monitoring-side antenna 201, the radio waves are likely to resonate due to reflection of the radio waves within the housing 400, resulting in noise. Therefore, a plurality of end recesses 442a are formed in the cover 440. This makes it possible to achieve a structure in which radio wave resonance is less likely to occur, thereby improving the quality of wireless communication between the control unit 300 and the monitoring unit 200. In this embodiment, the end protrusions 442 are formed in the cover 440, and therefore the lower surface side of the end protrusions 442 can be effectively used as the end recesses 442a.

[0214] When the battery pack 100 is viewed from the thickness direction of the cover 440, the monitoring-side antennas 201 are disposed closer to the control-side antennas 301 than the fastening parts 450. Therefore, the fastening parts 450 are less likely to interfere with radio waves exchanged between the control-side antennas 301 and the monitoring-side antennas 201. This can improve the quality of wireless communication between the control part 300 and the monitoring part 200.

[0215] (Modification of embodiment A) The configuration is not limited to the one in which the monitoring unit 200 and the monitoring antenna 201 are arranged vertically below the end recess 442a. For example, the monitoring unit 200 and the monitoring antenna 201 may be arranged at a position that is several times the width of the end recess 442a in the longitudinal direction (specific direction) of the housing 400 and in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction from the position vertically below the end recess 442a. The vertical direction is, for example, a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the plate surface of the cover 440 extends. The width of the end recess 442a is, for example, the width dimension of the end recess 442a in the short-side direction of the housing 400.

[0216] The control-side antenna 301 may be disposed at a position shown in Figures 20 and 21. In detail, the control-side antenna 301 is attached to the underside of the cover 440 by a fastening part 450 inserted into a through-hole 443 of the cover 440. In this case, the monitoring-side antenna 201 only needs to be disposed at a position overlapping the control-side antenna 301 when the battery pack 100 is viewed from the thickness direction of the cover 440.

[0217] In this case, the control unit 300 may be disposed outside the housing 400 (for example, on the upper surface of the cover 440), and the communication wiring 302 connected to the control unit 300 may be connected to the control side antenna 301 through the fastening portion 450.

[0218] The housing 400 may be mounted on the vehicle so that the short side direction of the rectangular parallelepiped housing 400 coincides with the vehicle length direction. In this case, the protrusions 441, 442 extend in the short side direction of the housing 400.

[0219] When the battery pack 100 is viewed from the thickness direction of the cover 440, the end recess 442a and the monitoring unit 200 do not have to overlap.

[0220] The communication method between the control unit 300 and the monitoring unit 200 is not limited to wireless communication, and may be wired communication. In this case, the control unit 300 and the monitoring unit 200 are connected by a communication wiring 302, and the middle part of the communication wiring 302 is disposed in the end recess 442a.

[0221] When the battery pack 100 is viewed from the thickness direction of the cover 440, the control unit 300 and the control side antenna 301 may be arranged in the storage space SP so that the control unit 300 and the control side antenna 301 overlap the end recess 442a.

[0222] (Embodiment B) Hereinafter, embodiment B will be described with reference to Figures 22 to 24, focusing on the differences from embodiment A. In Figures 22 to 24, the same configurations as or corresponding configurations to those described in embodiment A are denoted by the same reference numerals for convenience.

[0223] The first wall 420, the second wall 430, and the bottom plate 410 constituting the housing 400 are made of synthetic resin. On the other hand, the cover 440 constituting the housing 400 is made of a metal material. Therefore, among the first wall 420, the second wall 430, the bottom plate 410, and the cover 440, the cover 440 has an electromagnetic shielding effect. The specific gravity of the metal material constituting the cover 440 is greater than the specific gravity of the synthetic resin constituting the first wall 420, the second wall 430, and the bottom plate 410.

[0224] The battery monitoring device 210 has a flat rectangular parallelepiped shape. As described above, the battery monitoring device 210 is configured with, for example, an IC. Each battery monitoring device 210 is disposed on the upper surface of the battery block 110.

[0225] 23 and 24, the battery monitoring devices 210 are arranged in a first accommodation space on one side of a central position in the short side direction of the housing 400, and in a second accommodation space on the other side of the central position, of the accommodation space SP. A plurality of battery monitoring devices 210 (five are illustrated in the figures) are arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction of the housing 400 on the second wall portion 430 side in the short side direction of the housing 400 of the first accommodation space and the second accommodation space. Each battery monitoring device 210 is arranged such that the longitudinal direction of the battery monitoring device 210 is the longitudinal direction of the housing 400.

[0226] The battery control device 310 has a flat rectangular parallelepiped shape. The battery control device 310 includes a control unit 300 and a control-side antenna 301, and is configured, for example, with an IC. The battery control device 310 is arranged so that the longitudinal direction of the battery control device 310 is the transverse direction of the housing 400. The battery control device 310 is arranged on the upper surface of a pair of battery blocks 110 arranged closest to the first wall 420 in the longitudinal direction of the housing 400, among the battery blocks 110 arranged in two rows, so as to straddle the upper surfaces of these pair of battery blocks 110.

[0227] The battery control device 310 is equipped with multiple (two are illustrated in the figure) control-side antennas 301. The first control-side antenna 301 is disposed on the first storage space side in the longitudinal direction of the battery control device 310, and the second control-side antenna 301 is disposed on the second storage space side in the longitudinal direction of the battery control device 310.

[0228] In the storage space SP of the housing 400, a first partition wall portion 471 is provided between adjacent battery blocks 110 in the short side direction of the housing 400. In this embodiment, the first partition wall portion 471 extends upward from the bottom plate portion 410, and has a height dimension smaller than the height dimension of the battery block 110. Therefore, the upper surface of the battery block 110 is located above the upper end of the first partition wall portion 471.

[0229] In the storage space SP of the housing 400, a second partition wall portion 472 is provided between adjacent battery blocks 110 in the longitudinal direction of the housing 400. In this embodiment, the second partition wall portion 472 extends upward from the bottom plate portion 410, and has a height dimension smaller than the height dimension of the battery block 110. Therefore, the upper surface of the battery block 110 is located above the upper end of the second partition wall portion 472. The first partition wall portion 471 and the second partition wall portion 472 may be made of a synthetic resin or a metal material.

[0230] According to the present embodiment described above, the following effects can be obtained.

[0231] The end recess 442a formed on the lower surface side of the end protrusion 442 of the cover 440 can be used as a path for transmitting radio waves. Therefore, even if the gap between the cover 440 and the battery block 110 is small, for example, a large space for transmitting radio waves can be secured. As a result, radio waves can be easily transmitted between the control-side antenna 301 and the monitoring-side antenna 201.

[0232] The end recess 442a used as a radio wave transmission path extends in the longitudinal direction of the housing 400 from the first wall 420 side opposite to the protruding portion 421 side of the pair of first walls 420 toward the battery control device 310. This makes it possible to more reliably perform communication between the control unit 300 and the monitoring unit 200.

[0233] A plurality of end recesses 442a are formed in the cover 440. This makes it possible to achieve a structure in which resonance of radio waves is less likely to occur, and the quality of wireless communication between the control unit 300 and the monitoring unit 200 can be improved.

[0234] The battery control device 310 is disposed near the center position in the short side direction of the housing 400 in the storage space SP of the housing 400. Of the two control-side antennas 301, the first control-side antenna is disposed on the first storage space side, and the second control-side antenna is disposed on the second storage space side. Therefore, the monitoring-side antenna 201 disposed in the space between the battery block 110 and the cover 440 in the first storage space and the first control-side antenna 301 can be brought closer to each other. In addition, the monitoring-side antenna 201 disposed in the space between the battery block 110 and the cover 440 in the second storage space and the second control-side antenna can be brought closer to each other. This makes it easier for radio waves to reach between the control-side antenna 301 and the monitoring-side antenna 201, thereby improving the quality of wireless communication.

[0235] The battery control device 310 includes a plurality of control-side antennas 301. Therefore, even if some of the control-side antennas 301 fail, wireless communication can be continued by the remaining control-side antennas 301.

[0236] When the battery pack 100 is viewed from the thickness direction of the cover 440, the cushioning member 460 and the fastening parts 450 extending in the longitudinal direction of the housing 400 are disposed in the center of the short side of the housing 400 or in a region close to the center. In this arrangement, the space between the cushioning member 460 and the fastening parts 450 and the second wall part 430 in the accommodation space SP is used as a wireless communication space between the control-side antenna 301 and the monitoring-side antenna 201. As a result, the cushioning member 460 and the fastening parts 450 are less likely to interfere with radio waves exchanged between the control-side antenna 301 and the monitoring-side antenna 201, and the quality of wireless communication can be improved.

[0237] As shown in FIG. 24, the cover 440 includes a top plate portion 440a and a cover end portion 440b extending downward from the periphery of the top plate portion 440a. The top surface of the battery block 110 is located above the boundary portion between the cover end portion 440b and each wall portion 420, 430 in the height direction of the housing 400. This allows the battery monitoring device 210 to be sandwiched between the battery block 110 and the cover 440, which have an electromagnetic shielding effect, and even if an external radio wave enters the inside of the housing 400 from the outside, the external radio wave can be prevented from reaching the wireless communication space. In addition, since the first wall portion 420, the second wall portion 430, and the bottom plate portion 410 are made of synthetic resin, the weight of the housing 400 can be reduced.

[0238] The upper surface of the battery block 110 on which the battery monitoring device 210 is arranged is located above the upper end of the second bulkhead portion 472. Therefore, each second bulkhead portion 472 is less likely to interfere with radio waves exchanged between the control-side antenna 301 and the monitoring-side antenna 201, improving the quality of wireless communication.

[0239] A buffer member 460 that becomes an obstacle to radio waves is disposed in the central space in the short side direction of the accommodation space SP of the housing 400. Meanwhile, the spaces on both sides of the buffer member 460 in the short side direction of the accommodation space SP are used as wireless communication spaces. Therefore, the buffer member 460 is unlikely to become an obstacle to radio waves exchanged between the control side antenna 301 and the monitoring side antenna 201. This makes it possible to improve the quality of wireless communication.

[0240] (Modification of embodiment B) The control unit may be disposed near the center of the housing in the longitudinal direction.

[0241] A seal member for sealing the housing 400 may be provided at the boundary between the cover end 440b and each of the walls 420 and 430. Also, a shielding material (e.g., a metal material) for blocking or absorbing radio waves may be provided so as to cover the seal member.

[0242] (Embodiment C) Hereinafter, embodiment C will be described with reference to Figs. 25 to 27, focusing on the differences from embodiment B. In Figs. 25 to 27, the same reference numerals are used for the same configurations as or corresponding configurations described in embodiment B for convenience. Fig. 25 is a view equivalent to the cross-sectional view taken along line 24-24 in Fig. 22.

[0243] In this embodiment, in addition to the first wall portion 420, the second wall portion 430, and the bottom plate portion 410, the cover 440 is also made of synthetic resin.

[0244] The mounting position of the battery pack 100 in a vehicle will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0245] The vehicle includes a chassis 500 as a body portion made of a metal material, and wheels 510. The chassis 500 includes a chassis bottom plate portion 501 extending in the vehicle length direction, a side plate portion 502, a chassis top plate portion 503, and an end plate portion 504. The side plate portion 502 extends upward from an end portion of the chassis bottom plate portion 501 in the vehicle width direction. The chassis top plate portion 503 covers the side plate portion 502 from above. The end plate portion 504 covers both end portions of the chassis bottom plate portion 501, the side plate portion 502, and the chassis top plate portion 503. As a result, an accommodation space SS is formed within the chassis 500.

[0246] The battery pack 100 is disposed in the storage space SS in the chassis 500. More specifically, a bottom plate portion 410 constituting the housing 400 is disposed on a chassis bottom plate portion 501. A space is formed between a chassis top plate portion 503 and a cover 440 constituting the housing 400.

[0247] The cover 440 is made of synthetic resin that does not have an electromagnetic shielding effect. Therefore, the radio waves transmitted from the monitoring antenna 201 and the control antenna 301 pass through the cover 440. However, the chassis 500 made of a metal material can suppress the occurrence of a situation in which the radio waves leak to the outside. The chassis 500 can also suppress the external radio waves from entering the inside of the housing 400. In this way, according to this embodiment, the space formed between the chassis top plate part 503 and the cover 440 constituting the housing 400 can be effectively used as a wireless communication space, while suppressing the occurrence of a situation in which the radio waves leak to the outside or the external radio waves enter the inside of the housing 400.

[0248] A chassis bottom plate 501 of the chassis 500 is formed thicker than a bottom plate 410 of the housing 400, and a side plate 502 of the chassis 500 is formed thicker than a first wall 420 and a second wall 430 of the housing 400. A chassis top plate 503 of the chassis 500 is formed thicker than a cover 440 of the housing 400. This makes it possible to more effectively prevent radio waves from leaking to the outside or from entering the inside of the housing 400 than when the housing 400 is used.

[0249] (Modification of embodiment C) The mobile object on which the battery pack is mounted is not limited to a vehicle, but may be, for example, an aircraft or a ship.

[0250] One, two or three of the components of the cover 440, the first wall portion 420, the second wall portion 430 and the bottom plate portion 410 may be made of synthetic resin.

[0251] (Embodiment D) Hereinafter, embodiment D will be described with reference to Figures 28 and 29, focusing on the differences from embodiment B. In Figures 28 and 29, the same configurations as or corresponding configurations to those described in embodiment B are denoted by the same reference numerals for convenience.

[0252] The battery blocks 110 are arranged such that the longitudinal direction of each battery block 110 coincides with the lateral direction of the housing 400. The battery blocks 110 are arranged in two rows in the lateral direction of the housing 400. In the example shown in Fig. 28, 20 battery blocks 110 are arranged in each row.

[0253] A positive terminal 112P is provided at a first end in the longitudinal direction of the upper surface of the battery block 110, and a negative terminal 112M is provided at a second end in the longitudinal direction. Among the battery blocks 110 adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction of the casing 400, the battery blocks 110 are arranged such that the positive terminal 112P of one battery block faces the negative terminal 112M of the other battery block.

[0254] In this embodiment, the multiple battery blocks 110 housed in the housing 400 are divided into four groups. The ten battery blocks 110 divided into groups are designated as monitored batteries 130. The battery pack 100 includes a connection module 600 corresponding to each monitored battery 130. The connection module 600 includes conductive members 620-622 that connect in series the battery blocks 110 that make up the monitored battery 130, and a battery monitoring device 210 that monitors the battery states of the battery blocks 110 that make up the monitored battery 130.

[0255] The connection module 600 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0256] The connection module 600 includes a substrate 610. The substrate 610 is disposed above the monitored battery 130. The substrate 610 is made of, for example, synthetic resin. The substrate 610 includes a central plate 610a and a mounting plate 610b extending from both ends of the central plate 610a in the longitudinal direction of the housing 400. The battery monitoring device 210 is disposed on the upper surface of the central plate 610a. The mounting plate 610b is provided with an intermediate conductive member 620 that connects the positive terminal 112P and the negative terminal 112M of the battery blocks 110 adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction of the housing 400. Among the battery blocks 110 constituting the monitored battery 130, a first end conductive member 621 provided on the mounting plate 610b is connected to the positive terminal 112P of the battery block 110 on the highest potential side. Furthermore, a second end conductive member 622 provided on the mounting plate portion 610b is connected to the negative terminal 112M of the battery block 110 with the lowest potential among the battery blocks 110 constituting the monitored battery 130. The first end conductive member 621 and the second end conductive member 622 corresponding to adjacent monitored batteries 130 are electrically connected, so that the four monitored batteries 130 can be connected in series.

[0257] According to the embodiment described above, the conductive members 620-622 are arranged in a row at each end of the storage space SP of the housing 400 in the short-side direction, and two rows of the conductive members 620-622 are arranged in a row in the center space in the short-side direction. In addition, the battery monitoring devices 210 are arranged in a row in the space between the conductive members 620-622 arranged in the long-side direction of the housing 400 in the storage space SP. The conductive members 620-622 connected to the two monitored batteries 130 arranged in the space on one side of the center of the housing 400 in the long-side direction in the storage space SP correspond to the "first conductive members". In addition, the conductive members 620-622 connected to the two monitored batteries 130 arranged in the space on the other side of the center of the housing 400 in the long-side direction in the storage space SP correspond to the "second conductive members".

[0258] In the above arrangement, as shown in Fig. 13 and Fig. 18 of embodiment A, the control-side antenna 301 is arranged in line with the end recess 442a in the longitudinal direction. In this case, the battery monitoring device 210 is arranged so as to overlap with the end recess 442a when the housing 400 is viewed from the thickness direction of the cover 440. This makes it easier to receive radio waves between the control-side antenna 301 and the monitoring-side antenna 201, and improves the quality of wireless communication between the control unit 300 and the monitoring unit 200.

[0259] Incidentally, instead of the configurations shown in Figs. 13 and 18 of embodiment A, the battery control device 310 may be disposed in the accommodation space SP at the center position in the short-side direction of the housing 400 as shown in Fig. 30. In this case, the space between the conductive members 620-622 arranged in the longitudinal direction of the housing 400 in the accommodation space SP can be used as a wireless communication space between the control-side antenna 301 and the monitoring-side antenna 201. When the conductive members 620-622 and the battery monitoring device 210 are at least partially overlapped in the height direction of the housing 400, the conductive members 620-622 may become an obstacle to radio waves. In this case, a configuration in which the space between the conductive members 620-622 arranged in the longitudinal direction of the housing 400 is used as a wireless communication space and the battery control device 310 is disposed in the center position in the short-side direction of the housing 400 is particularly useful.

[0260] (Embodiment E) Hereinafter, embodiment E will be described with reference to Fig. 31 and Fig. 32, focusing on the differences from embodiment C. In Fig. 31 and Fig. 32, the same configurations as or corresponding configurations to those described in embodiment C are denoted by the same reference numerals for convenience.

[0261] In this embodiment, the battery control device 310 is disposed on the upper surface of the cover 440. More specifically, the battery control device 310 is disposed in a region on the upper surface of the cover 440 between a central protrusion 441 and an end protrusion 442. The battery control device 310 is disposed closer to the end than to the center in the longitudinal direction (specific direction) of the housing 400, and in the example shown in FIG. 31 , the battery control device 310 is disposed at the end in the longitudinal direction of the housing 400.

[0262] The configuration in which the battery control device 310 is disposed on the upper surface of the cover 440 is a configuration aimed at miniaturizing the housing 400. That is, by disposing the battery control device 310 outside the housing 400, instead of inside the housing 400, the shape of the housing 400 can be made smaller. For example, a portion such as the protruding portion 421 disclosed in FIG. 12 can be reduced or made smaller. As a result, the vehicle mountability of the housing 400 can be further improved. Furthermore, by disposing the battery control device 310 outside the housing 400, the battery control device 310 can be disposed in a limited space in the vehicle, and so on, and the degree of freedom in mounting can be ensured.

[0263] The cover 440, the first wall 420, the second wall 430 and the bottom plate 410 are made of a metal material. In this case, in order to perform communication between the monitoring unit 200 and the control unit 300 housed in the housing space SP of the housing 400, a configuration for connecting the inside and outside of the housing 400 for communication is required.

[0264] The battery pack 100 of the present embodiment includes a relay device 220 as a configuration for communication connection. The relay device 220 includes an antenna 220a located on the upper surface side of the cover 440, and a shaft portion 220b extending downward from the antenna 220a and having an outer diameter smaller than that of the antenna 220a. The cover 440 is formed with a through hole 441 for inserting the shaft portion 220b. In the present embodiment, the through holes 441 are provided in a line in the longitudinal direction of the cover 440 in an area between the central protrusion portion 441 and the end protrusion portion 442 of the cover 440. The relay device 220 is arranged with the antenna 220a located on the upper surface side of the cover 440 and the shaft portion 220b inserted into the through hole 441 formed in the cover 440. The relay device 220 is provided individually corresponding to each monitoring unit 200. The antenna 220a may be covered with a cover that transmits radio waves.

[0265] The through hole 441 is covered by the antenna 220a of the relay device 220. A seal member may be interposed between the antenna 220a and the upper surface of the cover 440.

[0266] 32, the monitoring unit 200 is disposed in a gap between adjacent battery blocks 110 in the longitudinal direction of the housing 400. The monitoring unit 200 is disposed at the upper end of the second partition wall portion 472. By disposing the monitoring unit 200 in the gap, the space within the housing 400 can be used effectively.

[0267] When the housing 400 is viewed from the thickness direction of the cover 440, the shaft 220b of the relay device 220 is disposed at a position overlapping the second partition wall 472. The shaft 220b extends to a gap between adjacent battery blocks 110 in the longitudinal direction of the housing 400. The shaft 220b abuts against the adjacent battery blocks 110, thereby enabling the relay device 220 to be properly supported. It is not necessary for the shaft 220b to abut against the adjacent battery blocks 110.

[0268] The direction in which central protrusion 441 in which central recess 441a is formed and end protrusions 442 extend and the direction in which relay devices 220 are arranged are the longitudinal direction of housing 400. Therefore, it is possible to ensure a wireless communication path in the longitudinal direction of housing 400 and to secure central recess 441a as a space for arranging busbar unit 120.

[0269] The monitoring unit 200 and the antenna 220a are electrically connected by a communication wiring provided on the shaft portion 220b. This allows wireless communication between the monitoring unit 200 and the control unit 300 via the antenna 220a and the control-side antenna 301.

[0270] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, as in the third embodiment, the space formed between the chassis top panel portion 503 and the cover 440 constituting the housing 400 can be effectively utilized as a wireless communication space while preventing the occurrence of a situation in which radio waves leak to the outside.

[0271] The lower end of the shaft portion 220b extends to a gap between adjacent battery blocks 110 in the longitudinal direction of the housing 400. This makes it easy to connect the monitoring unit 200 to the communication wiring of the relay device 220.

[0272] (Modification of embodiment E) The battery control device 310 may be disposed outside the housing 400, rather than on the surface of the housing 400. For example, the battery control device 310 may be disposed on an extension line of the central protrusion 441 in the accommodation space SS inside the chassis 500.

[0273] As shown in Fig. 33, the battery blocks 110 may be stacked in the height direction of the housing 400. In the example shown in Fig. 33, two battery packs 100 are stacked in the height direction. In this case, a monitoring unit 200 for monitoring each of the two battery blocks 110 stacked in the height direction may be disposed in a gap between adjacent battery blocks 110 in the longitudinal direction of the housing 400. The monitoring units 200 corresponding to the two battery blocks 110 may perform wireless communication with the control-side antenna 301 via a common relay device 220, or may perform wireless communication with the control-side antenna 301 via relay devices 220 individually provided corresponding to each monitoring unit 200.

[0274] Furthermore, the monitoring unit 200 is not limited to being disposed in the gap, and may be built into the battery block 110 that it is monitoring. In this case, as shown in Fig. 33, it is sufficient that the lower end of the shaft portion 220b extends to the battery block 110 in the lowest layer among the battery blocks 110 stacked in the height direction of the housing 400. This allows the monitoring unit 200 monitoring the battery block 110 in the lowest layer to be properly connected to the antenna 220a by the communication wiring provided on the shaft portion 220b.

[0275] Instead of the cover 440, a through hole through which the relay device 220 is inserted may be formed in either of the walls 420, 430. That is, the relay device 220 may be provided on either of the walls 420, 430.

[0276] (Embodiment F) Hereinafter, the embodiment F will be described with reference to Fig. 34, focusing on the differences from the embodiment E. In Fig. 34, the same components as or corresponding components to those described in the embodiment E are denoted by the same reference numerals for convenience.

[0277] In this embodiment, similarly to embodiment A, the battery monitoring device 210 is disposed on the upper surface of the battery block 110. When the housing 400 is viewed from the thickness direction of the cover 440, the battery monitoring device 210 and the through-hole 441 formed in the cover 440 may overlap with each other.

[0278] The relay device 230 is provided in the through hole 441 so as to cover the through hole 441. The relay device 230 of this embodiment is a dielectric antenna.

[0279] The radio waves transmitted from the monitoring-side antenna 201 are absorbed by the relay device 230. The relay device 230 re-radiates the absorbed radio waves. The re-radiated radio waves are received by the control-side antenna 301. This allows wireless communication between the monitoring unit 200 and the control unit 300 via the control-side antenna 301, the relay device 230, and the monitoring-side antenna 201.

[0280] Each of the above embodiments may be modified as follows.

[0281] The battery pack 100 described in embodiments E and F may constitute a battery diagnostic system together with a battery diagnostic device located outside the housing 400. The battery diagnostic device is, for example, a mobile terminal used by an operator in a vehicle repair shop. The battery diagnostic device has an antenna that performs wireless communication with the monitoring unit 200 via the relay device 220 or the relay device 230. Taking the battery pack 100 of embodiment F as an example, the battery diagnostic device acquires battery information from the monitoring unit 200 via its own antenna and the monitoring side antenna 201. The battery information includes, for example, the charge amount (e.g., SOC), the deterioration level (e.g., SOH), and the usage history of the monitored battery. The battery diagnostic device diagnoses the monitored battery based on the acquired battery information.

[0282] According to the configuration described above, after the battery pack 100 is removed from the chassis 500, battery information can be acquired from the monitoring unit 200 without removing the battery block 110 from the housing 400. This makes it easy to diagnose a fault in the battery block 110 and determine whether it can be reused.

[0283] The battery pack may be applied not only to vehicles but also to aircraft or ships. The battery pack may be applied not only to moving bodies such as vehicles, aircraft, or ships but also to stationary systems.

[0284] The control unit and the method described in the present disclosure may be realized by a special-purpose computer provided by configuring a processor and a memory programmed to execute one or more functions embodied in a computer program. Alternatively, the control unit and the method described in the present disclosure may be realized by a special-purpose computer provided by configuring a processor with one or more dedicated hardware logic circuits. Alternatively, the control unit and the method described in the present disclosure may be realized by one or more special-purpose computers configured by a combination of a processor and a memory programmed to execute one or more functions and a processor configured with one or more hardware logic circuits. In addition, the computer program may be stored in a computer-readable non-transitory tangible recording medium as instructions executed by the computer. [Explanation of symbols]

[0285] 11 battery pack, 20 assembled battery, 21 battery block, 22 battery cell, 30 battery monitoring device, 40 battery control device.

Claims

1. A battery monitoring system (1) including a battery (110), a battery monitoring device (210) that monitors the state of the battery, and a battery control device (310) that wirelessly communicates with the battery monitoring device, acquires battery information that is a monitoring result by the battery monitoring device, and executes various controls, A housing (400), The battery monitoring device includes a monitoring unit (200) that monitors the state of the battery and transmits the battery information, The battery control device has a control unit (300) that communicates with the monitoring unit to acquire the battery information and executes various controls, The housing has a bottom plate portion (410), a wall portion (420, 430) formed along a peripheral portion of the bottom plate portion, and a cover (440) that covers the wall portion from above, A partition wall portion (472) is provided in the gap between adjacent batteries to separate and arrange the batteries, A battery monitoring system, wherein the monitoring unit is placed on an upper end of the partition so as to be positioned in a gap between the batteries.

2. A battery monitoring system (1) including a battery (110), a battery monitoring device (210) that monitors the state of the battery, and a battery control device (310) that wirelessly communicates with the battery monitoring device, acquires battery information that is a monitoring result by the battery monitoring device, and executes various controls, A housing (400), The battery monitoring device includes a monitoring unit (200) that monitors the state of the battery and transmits the battery information, The battery control device has a control unit (300) that communicates with the monitoring unit to acquire the battery information and executes various controls, The housing has a bottom plate portion (410), a wall portion (420, 430) formed along a peripheral portion of the bottom plate portion, and a cover (440) that covers the wall portion from above, an upper surface of the battery is located above a boundary between the cover and the wall portion in a height direction of the housing, A battery monitoring system, wherein the wall portion forms a protrusion (421) that protrudes outward from the housing, and a recess (421a) that is recessed outward is provided inside the protrusion, and the control unit is arranged in the recess.

3. The battery monitoring system according to claim 2 , wherein the protrusion is provided with a connector portion (422) for electrically connecting the inside and the outside of the housing.

4. A battery monitoring system (1) including a battery (110), a battery monitoring device (210) that monitors the state of the battery, and a battery control device (310) that wirelessly communicates with the battery monitoring device, acquires battery information that is a monitoring result by the battery monitoring device, and executes various controls, A housing (400), The battery monitoring device includes a monitoring unit (200) that monitors the state of the battery and transmits the battery information, The battery control device has a control unit (300) that communicates with the monitoring unit to acquire the battery information and executes various controls, The housing has a bottom plate portion (410), a wall portion (420, 430) formed along a peripheral portion of the bottom plate portion, and a cover (440) that covers the wall portion from above, an upper surface of the battery is located above a boundary between the cover and the wall portion in a height direction of the housing, The wall of the housing is provided with an explosion-proof valve (432); A battery monitoring system, wherein the explosion-proof valve is positioned lower than upper in the height direction of the housing.

5. A battery monitoring system (1) including a battery (110), a battery monitoring device (210) that monitors the state of the battery, and a battery control device (310) that wirelessly communicates with the battery monitoring device, acquires battery information that is a monitoring result by the battery monitoring device, and executes various controls, A housing (400), The battery monitoring device includes a monitoring unit (200) that monitors the state of the battery and transmits the battery information, The battery control device has a control unit (300) that communicates with the monitoring unit to acquire the battery information and executes various controls, The housing has a bottom plate portion (410), a wall portion (420, 430) formed along a peripheral portion of the bottom plate portion, and a cover (440) that covers the wall portion from above, an upper surface of the battery is located above a boundary between the cover and the wall portion in a height direction of the housing, A plurality of fastening parts (450) protruding from the lower surface of the cover are arranged in a specific direction, The battery is a plurality of batteries, The monitoring unit is provided individually corresponding to a monitored battery (110) which is each of the plurality of batteries divided into groups, A monitoring antenna is provided in correspondence with each of the monitoring units, A battery monitoring system in which the monitoring antennas are arranged in positions that do not overlap with the fastening portions when the housing is viewed in the thickness direction of the cover.

6. A battery monitoring system (1) including a battery (110), a battery monitoring device (210) that monitors the state of the battery, and a battery control device (310) that wirelessly communicates with the battery monitoring device, acquires battery information that is a monitoring result by the battery monitoring device, and executes various controls, A housing (400), The battery monitoring device includes a monitoring unit (200) that monitors the state of the battery and transmits the battery information, The battery control device has a control unit (300) that communicates with the monitoring unit to acquire the battery information and executes various controls, The housing has a bottom plate portion (410), a wall portion (420, 430) formed along a peripheral portion of the bottom plate portion, and a cover (440) that covers the wall portion from above, the monitoring unit, the monitoring-side antenna of the monitoring unit, and the control-side antenna of the control unit are disposed in a space between the battery and the cover within a storage space (SP) formed by the bottom plate portion, the wall portion, and the cover, the monitoring unit and the monitoring-side antenna are disposed in a first housing space on one side of a center in a short-side direction of the housing and a second housing space on the other side of the center in the short-side direction of the housing, The control side antenna is a plurality of antennas, A battery monitoring system, wherein some of the control-side antennas are arranged in the first accommodating space, and the remaining control-side antennas are arranged in the second accommodating space.

7. The battery monitoring system according to claim 6 , wherein the control unit is disposed closer to a center position of the accommodation space than to an end portion in a lateral direction of the housing.

8. A plurality of the monitoring units are arranged in the first accommodation space and the second accommodation space in a longitudinal direction of the housing, when the housing is viewed in a thickness direction of the cover, a predetermined member is disposed between each of the monitoring units accommodated in the first accommodation space and each of the monitoring units accommodated in the second accommodation space, The battery monitoring system of claim 6 or 7, wherein the specified member is any one of a cushioning member (460) formed of an elastic material, a bus bar extending in the longitudinal direction of the housing, a safety plug, a partition wall separating adjacent batteries, and a protrusion protruding downward from the housing from the underside of the cover.

9. The battery monitoring system according to claim 8 , wherein a distance between adjacent monitoring units in a longitudinal direction of the housing is shorter than a distance between adjacent monitoring units in a lateral direction of the housing.

10. The battery monitoring system according to claim 8 , wherein the predetermined member is disposed between the monitoring units adjacent to each other in a short-side direction of the housing.

11. A plurality of monitored batteries (130) are arranged in the first storage space and the second storage space in a longitudinal direction of the housing, the monitoring unit and the monitoring antenna corresponding to each of the monitored batteries arranged in the first accommodation space are arranged side by side in a longitudinal direction of the housing, the monitoring unit and the monitoring-side antenna corresponding to each of the monitored batteries arranged in the second accommodation space are arranged side by side in a longitudinal direction of the housing, a first conductive member (620-622) disposed in a space on both sides of the monitoring units and the monitoring side antennas in the short side direction of the housing in the first accommodation space, the first conductive member electrically connecting the monitored batteries disposed in the first accommodation space; second conductive members (620-622) disposed in the second accommodation space on both sides of the monitoring units and the monitoring side antennas in the short side direction of the housing, electrically connecting the monitored batteries disposed in the second accommodation space; Equipped with The battery monitoring system according to claim 6 , wherein the first conductive member and the second conductive member are arranged side by side in a longitudinal direction of the housing.

12. A battery monitoring system (1) including a battery (110), a battery monitoring device (210) that monitors the state of the battery, and a battery control device (310) that wirelessly communicates with the battery monitoring device, acquires battery information that is a monitoring result by the battery monitoring device, and executes various controls, A housing (400), The battery monitoring device includes a monitoring unit (200) that monitors the state of the battery and transmits the battery information, The battery control device has a control unit (300) that communicates with the monitoring unit to acquire the battery information and executes various controls, The housing has a bottom plate portion (410), a wall portion (420, 430) formed along a peripheral portion of the bottom plate portion, and a cover (440) that covers the wall portion from above, a monitoring-side antenna (201) of the monitoring unit and a control-side antenna (301) of the control unit are disposed above an upper surface of the battery and above a boundary portion between the cover and the wall portion; A battery monitoring system, wherein wireless communication between the monitoring unit and the control unit is performed above an upper surface of the battery.

13. A battery monitoring system (1) including a battery (110), a battery monitoring device (210) that monitors the state of the battery, and a battery control device (310) that wirelessly communicates with the battery monitoring device, acquires battery information that is a monitoring result by the battery monitoring device, and executes various controls, A housing (400), The battery monitoring device includes a monitoring unit (200) that monitors the state of the battery and transmits the battery information, The battery control device has a control unit (300) that communicates with the monitoring unit to acquire the battery information and executes various controls, The housing has a bottom plate portion (410), a wall portion (420, 430) formed along a peripheral portion of the bottom plate portion, and a cover (440) that covers the wall portion from above, The cover is made of a metal material. The wall portion and the bottom plate portion are made of synthetic resin, A battery monitoring system in which the monitoring unit and a monitoring antenna of the monitoring unit are arranged in the space between the cover and the battery within the storage space formed by the bottom plate portion, the wall portion and the cover.

14. In a battery pack mounted on a moving object, At least one of the cover, the wall portion, and the bottom plate portion is made of a synthetic resin, The moving body includes a body portion (500) made of a metal material, The housing is disposed in a storage space (SS) formed in the body portion, The battery monitoring system according to claim 13 , wherein a space is formed between the body portion and the housing in the accommodation space within the body portion.

15. The battery monitoring system according to any one of claims 2 to 14, wherein the monitoring unit is disposed between the batteries.

16. The battery monitoring system according to any one of claims 2 to 14, wherein the monitoring unit is disposed between the battery and the wall portion.

17. The battery monitoring system according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the monitoring unit is disposed at a position lower than an upper surface of the battery.

18. The control unit includes a plurality of control-side antennas, The battery monitoring system according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the plurality of control-side antennas are arranged offset in a short-side direction of the housing.

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